9582 Birds. 



Spoiled Crake. — A specimen of the spotted crake was shot on the 

 28th of March, at Appledrara Common, near Chichester. 



Water Rail. — The water rail was seen as late as the 29lh of March. 

 I have not ascertained that it breeds in Sussex, 



Grebes. — 1 have lately seen a specimen of the rednecked and one 

 of the Sclavonian grebe, which were shot at Pagham Harbour in 

 February. 



The wheatear, willow warbler and chiffchafT, which usually appear 

 in March, have failed to do so this season, probably owing to the 

 wintry weather that we have experienced during the middle and latter 

 part of the month, and from the same cause we have had flocks of 

 redwings quite late in the month, as tame as they have been at any 

 time through the winter. Small flocks of fieldfares seen occasionally 

 up to the 31st of March. 



W. Jeffery, J UN. 

 Raiham, Chichester, April 7, 1865. 



Ornithological Notes from the Isle of Wight. 

 By Henuy Rogers. 



Fieldfares. — These birds have been unusually abundant. You 

 may find them in every meadow, ploughed field, or on the open down. 

 They visit us every winter, but some years very sparingly : since 1855 

 1 have not seen them in such numbers as during the present season. 



Redwing. — This bird visits us every year in great numbers ; but 

 this year they far exceed their usual number. 



Dartford Warbler. — I fear we shall shortly lose this interesting 

 bird : the Government works are destroying its usual haunts, and the 

 bird is fast disappearing ; I have not seen more than three this 

 winter. 



Rock Pipit. — A beautiful variety of this bird was shot by Mr. T. 

 Murrow, of the Royal Albion Hotel. The beak, legs and toes pale 

 flesh-colour ; the head, wings and tail white ; the back and breast 

 mottled : in fact, it was one of the most beautiful varieties I have ever 

 seen. It was given me to preserve for Mr. Bond ; unfortunately it 

 was destroyed by a hooded crow which I brought from Egypt last 

 year, he having entered my workroom during my absence ; on my 

 return he had torn the pipit all to pieces, except the head and legs, 

 which I kept and have shown to Mr. Bond. 



