1498 The Zoologist — January, 18()9. 



Raven. — Seen several times about the creeks and marshes during 

 the first part of September : on one occasion saw four together. 

 This is the only lime of year that we see these birds in this 

 district. 



Hooded Crow. — One seen on the 1st of October; numerous by the 

 end of the second week. 



Kingfisher. — Not uncommon about the marsh ditches in September ; 

 ranch fewer in October: this is, as a rule, the only time that they are 

 to be seen here. 



Swallow. — An immense southward migration took place early in 

 October, most marked on the Cth, 7th, 8th and 9th. Hundreds were 

 passing for two or three hours each morning in an almost con- 

 tinuous stream, and flew very low, only just skimming over the 

 Saltings. 



Golden Plover. — Met with a small flock in a neighbouring marsh 

 on the 7th of October : this is an early appearance for them in this 

 district. 



Gray Plover. — First observed on the 18lh of September, three 

 together. They are never very numerous here. 



Whimhrel. — Scarce this year, even in September, but they appear 

 to have returned and moved on fmther south earlier than usual. I was 

 told that they were extremely numerous early in August. Last noticed 

 on the 7th of October, when I saw three. 



Green Sandpiper. — Also very scarce this year — a striking contrast 

 to their great abundance here in 1867. This scarcity is to be 

 attributed to the drying up of the ditches during the summer. I saw 

 only two specimens throughout September. The common sandpiper 

 was also scarce. 



Greenshank. — Appears to have been more abundant than usual 

 on the marshes at the mouth of the Medway. I heard of several 

 being killed during September, and we received one in the flesh 

 which had been shot on the 16lh. 



Snipe. — Scarcely to be found at all, on account of the dry slate of 

 the marsh ditches. September and October are generally the best 

 months for them here, but I scarcely saw half a dozen during the 

 whole time, and I did not meet with a single jack snipe. 



Knot. — Quite a rare bird in this district. My brother shot one 

 on the 18th of September, and we saw another at the same time, 

 but this is the only occasion on which we have met with this species 

 here. 



