Birds. 9579 



one boat, it is probable that Mr. " Herring Bar," as the fishermen here 

 call them, was after the mackerel. 



Fieldfare. — Large flocks were about here during the late snow and 

 frost. 



Redwing. — More than usually numerous this winter. I have seen 

 hundreds. 



Golden Plover. — Great numbers have occurred this winter in our 

 marshes and fallows. They are always winter visitants to these 

 parts. 



Very iew rare things have occurred here this winter, which, con- 

 sidering how rich this district is in Ornithology, seems strange. Last 

 year three bitterns were shot, but I have not heard of a single speci- 

 men having been killed this winter. 



John Dutton. 

 51, Terminus Road, Eastbourne, 

 February 20, 1865. 



Ornithological Notes from West Sussex. 

 By W. Jeffery, jun., Esq. 



(Continued from page 9498). 



February, 1865. 



Nuthatch. — The stomachs of two of these birds which I examined 

 contained a considerable quantity of small gravel and small pieces of 

 red brick, which seemed to have been worn smooth by the action of 

 the gizzard. In one 1 found also some pieces of acorn ? and one or 

 two small seeds, and in the other a spider and two spiral snail- 

 shells about a quarter of an inch long and a twelfth of an inch 

 wide. 



Peewit. — A large flock were seen on the 6th and 10th of February; 

 after this a ievi, perhaps from twenty to fifty, were seen at diff'erent 

 times up to the 24th ; none seen after this latter date. 



Golden Plover. — From the 16th to the 18th of February a flock of 

 from seventy to eighty was seen. I have been told that much larger 

 flocks were seeu throughout the month, up to about the 25th, in the 

 Manhood, but they have now entirely disappeared. 



Grebes. — A specimen of the Sclavonian grebe, in the winter plumage, 

 seen on the 1st of February : it had been recently killed on the coast. 

 A great crested grebe, having a good bit of the chestnut colour about 



