The Zoologist — February, 1866. 89 



has suggested (Zool. 9844) that I, being in the "line of flight," may 

 possibly enlighten the readers of the ' Zoologist' with regard to the 

 above queries respecting the migration of swallows, &c. Now, 

 although 1 may be said to live on the south coast, I have seldom 

 noticed this easterly flight spoken of by Captain Hadfield, yet I have 

 no doubt that it takes place every autumn, but I believe it to be con- 

 fined to the line of coast or nearly so, and as I live seven or eight 

 miles, in a straight line, from the sea, — and, moreover, in about the 

 widest part of that flat tract of land which lies between the hills and 

 the sea, — it will be perceived that I am not exactly in the line of that 

 easterly flight. Nearly all the flocks of small birds (wagtails, pipits, 

 liinuets, &c.), which pass here in the autumn seem to be working their 

 way towards the coast. If Captain Hadfield has the opportunity of 

 referring to a small work entitled ' Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,' 

 by Mr. A. E. Knox, in Letter 7, commencing p. 75, he will find 

 some interesting notes on " The periodical transit of flocks of small 

 birds through the county." At page 81 will be found the following 

 paragraph respecting the goldfinch, but which I think may be applied 

 to many other species, swallows included: — "Goldfinches again 

 become numerous in October, when detached parties, including the 

 young of the year, which have been spread through other portions 

 of the island during the summer, draw towards the sea, and pass east- 

 ward in succession, until they find — in some part of Kent, as I imagine 

 — a favourable spot for crossing the Channel." 1 have not written this 

 as answering Captain Hadfield's queries, but rather to show that 

 I cannot answer them, and I think it will be generally admitted that 

 we are still much in the dark respecting this interesting subject, the 



migration of birds. 



W. Jeffery, Jun. 

 Ralhain, Chichester, December 7, 1865. 



Ornithological Notes from Soulh-East Essex. 

 By W. Vincent Legge, Esq. 



November, 1865. 



This part of the Essex coast is of that flat muddy nature which is just 

 suited to the habits of many of the Grallatores. The ground is lower 

 than high- water mark, and consists of pasture and stubble-lands, pro- 

 tected from the sea by embankments, between which and ordinary high- 



SECOND series— VOL, I. N 



