48 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
In 1879, on the 31st January, large flocks of Larks were seen 
wheeling about high up in the air, as if contemplating migration, 
followed next day (February 1st) by driving sleet and snow, with 
S.E. wind, and on the 2nd by rain. On the 12th February two wild 
Swans, Cygnus ferus, were shot at Pagham Harbour—or rather, 
at what remains of it since its reclamation for agricultural pur- 
poses. Brent Geese (plentiful) and Sheldrakes have been killed. 
On the 26th Golden Plover were numerous, apparently travelling 
northward, and, at this early date, one was observed with a good 
black breast. 
Siskins were seen on the 28th February, and again on the 
2nd March. On the 5th I saw a Hoopoe at a poulterer’s 
at Chichester, killed on the flooded brooks near Pulborough. 
On the 3lst Curlews were passing N.E. at 4.30 p.m.; wind 
light S.W. 
Our summer visitors were late and irregular in their 
appearance in this wet and cold summer. ‘The Chiffchaff was 
first seen and heard on April lst. On the 11th, with a bitterly 
cold N.E. wind, a male Redstart appeared in my garden. A pair 
of Song Thrushes had built a nest and laid four eggs by the 
9th April, but forsook them within a few days. We had again 
a bitterly cold wind, with rain and snow,—nearly two inches of 
snow covering the ground,—on the night of the 12th. This was 
probably the cause of the Thrushes’ nest being forsaken. I saw 
no Swallow until the 16th. The Sedge Warbler was first heard 
on the 25th. 
On the 1st May, very cold, first Common Whitethroat seen ; 
2nd, white frost and strong N.E. wind, Lesser Whitethroat first 
heard; 12th, weather milder, a single Whimbrel seen passing 
over in evening, direction N.E.; Whitethroat scarcely heard 
until now; 138th, first Swift seen; 17th, Whimbrel passing, 
1 p.m., N.E., with steady wind from West. On the 18th the 
Blackcap and Willow Warbler were singing round about my 
house and garden, as if only just arrived. Buntings (Em- 
beriza miliaria) in flock on Walderton Down. The Spotted 
Flycatcher and Turtle Dove were not seen until the 2lst 
and 23rd respectively. On the 29th of the same month I saw 
a Nightjar (the first this year) near Havant, hawking for insects 
along a small brook, at 3 p.m., in bright sunshine, probably just 
arrived, and hungry. 
