OTES 



NOTES FROM SUSSEX. 



Grey Wagtail {Motacilla melajiope). — This species nests 

 regularly in north and west Sussex, probably in the east of 

 the county, where Dr. C. B. Ticehurst found a brood in 1906, 

 and probably also in other parts of Sussex, though very 

 locally, and in no great numbers. For three years in suc- 

 cession, 1906-07-08, I have found the nest (two in 1908) in 

 the two former areas. 



Hobby {Falco suhhuteo). — Twice certainly within the past 

 few years has the Hobby bred in Sussex. At the time of 

 writing " Sussex Hobbies," Avhich was pubhshed in " Country 

 Side " on February 1st, 1908, detaihng the finding of an eyrie 

 on June 15th of the previous year, I was under the impression 

 that this Avas actually the first record. So it is as far as the 

 notifying of the fact goes, but careful inquiries have ehcited 

 the information that in 1906 a brood was taken off in a totally 

 different part of the county to where I found my eyrie. In 

 1907 (the year in which I found it) I also located a second 

 pair, but both birds vanished entirely from the wood they 

 were frequenting. Probably they were destroyed. In 1906 

 a pair meant settling down in a Heron's old nest, but before 

 the eggs AA'ere laid the male was mercilessly shot. On June 

 17th, 1908, I saw a single bird in a certain district in the north 

 of the county. 



Common Sheld-Duck {Tadorna cornuta). — The Sheld-Duck 

 nests in one spot in Sussex for certain, in the extreme south- 

 west coast corner of the county. I visited the place on May 

 6th, 1908, and saw one pair of birds. The young were seen in 

 1906 and 1907 by Mr. PadAA-ick — a capital observer. 



Shoveler {Spatula dypeata).— On April 18th, 1908, I 

 discovered the Shoveler's nest in the north of Sussex. This 

 is the first record for the county. The folloAving is an extract 

 from my diary for that day :— " As I left a Avithy bed at the 

 tail of the big mill-pond a pair of Shovelers, easily recognised 

 as such by the drake's plumage, chanced to be flying toAvards 

 me over the Avater. This Avas the first year I had ever seen 

 them here. Making a circuit they both settled by the second 

 Avithy bed, half-Avay up the reach, Avhere, by the aid of glasses 

 and a careful stalk, I could study them to perfection.* 



* A full description of the birds, both in flight and at rest, here 

 follows but has been omitted for want of space. —Eds. 



