376 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ST. LEONARDS. 
By J. H. Gurney, Jun. 
A Buzzarp seen on May 10th was evidently a migrant, 
making its way in from the sea at a great height. I cannot say of 
what species it was, but its mode of flight was curious. Having 
first risen in circles to an immense height, it shot off on a steady 
descent, which was at such a gentle angle that, without any per- 
ceptible movement of the wings, the natural buoyancy of the bird 
sufficed to carry it almost out of sight. On May 4th I saw four 
Bartailed Godwits at a little marsh about two miles west of St. 
Leonards, and two or three hundred yards from the sea—the most 
attractive place imaginable for tired waders. Two of these birds 
were in full summer plumage, one was in change, and the other still 
in winter plumage. They were extremely tame. On the first occa- 
sion I got within about thirty yards of them, and going again two 
days afterwards approached within five yards before they attempted 
to fly. At this marsh, on May 7th, I saw a Sandpiper, which, from 
its small size, I have little doubt was a Wood Sandpiper. 
I went twice to Winchelsea in search of Terns; but they are 
not so common there as I had hoped to find them, which I suppose 
is due to the extensive manufacture of shingle-concrete which is 
carried on at the adjoining town of Rye. I only saw a pair of the 
Common Tern; but nearly opposite Camber Castle a very nice 
colony of Lesser Terns were breeding. I have no doubt at the 
date of my visit many of them had young, as they were busy 
fishing and carrying the fish about in their bills after they had 
caught them. A very pretty manceuvre—which I do not remember 
witnessing at Blakeney, near Cromer, where there is another 
colony of these birds—was dropping a fish in the air and catching 
it again in its descent. While looking for their eggs I stumbled 
on a couple of Boar-fish, Capros aper; they had lost all that 
beautiful salmon-colour which is so conspicuous in the live fish. 
This species seems to have been very abundant all along the south 
coast this spring; several were taken at Hastings. I believe 
Hastings to be a very good place for anyone who is making a study 
of fish. During my stay there I saw two Anglers, or “ Fishing- 
frogs,” Lophius piscatorius. Twice a fine Grey Mullet was caught 
off the parade, in a common shrimping-net, which I mention for 
the singularity of the capture. 
