NOTES FROM WEST SUSSEX. 111 
middle path without a chase from the other, ending either in an 
engagement or retreat. One Robin out of the four is much 
tamer than the rest, coming close to me, often settling on the 
handle of a spade or prong when stuck in the ground unused, 
and keeping a sharp look out for worms or insects turned up, 
not refusing worms when thrown to him, nor appearing frightened 
by the action of the hand in throwing. If, however, my work 
lies on the opposite side of the garden, my friendly Robin keeps 
aloof, cheering me only by his song. Bird as well as man has his 
frontier line to protect. Occasionally a Gray Wagtail, which is 
otherwise allowed occupation, is sharply served with notice to 
quit the land of Robins. The Grey Phalarope last autumn was 
conspicuous by its absence, not a single specimen having, to my 
knowledge, been seen here. 
Referrmg to my note in ‘The Zoologist’ for October last 
(p. 392), I have to report that four other Hoopoes, in addition to 
the two there recorded, were shot at the same place. The first 
two, sold to the Rey. A. Fuller, of Chichester, were killed by a 
fisherman named Grant, on August 22nd, at a place between 
Sidlesham and Selsey, called Woolhouse, or, in the vernacular, 
“Ooollas.” On the 24th two others were shot there by Mr. 
Woodman ; the remaining two on the 31st of August and the 
Ist of September—one of these also by Mr. Woodman. I saw 
them at the birdstuffer’s, and, with one exception, I believe they 
are all old birds, and this one may have been a bird of the year, 
but Iam not sure. The late Mr. Yarrell, in his work on ‘ British 
Birds,’ writes, ‘It seldom makes its appearance in this country 
till after the breeding season is over ; and the period of the year 
in which this bird most commonly occurs is in autumn.” My 
own experience hitherto has been just the reverse. The only 
autumn-killed specimen that I have recorded was procured 
towards the end of September, 1866. Mr. A. E. Knox, in his 
* Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,’ mentions three instances of 
the occurrence of the Hoopoe in September. The usual time of 
their appearance in the spring is from about the middle to the 
end of April, just the time when the greater part of our summer 
visitors are arriving. Two instances are recorded of the Hoopoe 
having nested in Sussex: one is mentioned by Yarrell as having 
occurred near Chichester ; the other by Mr. Knox as having been 
observed at Southwick, near Shoreham. There is little doubt 
