PAGHAM HARBOUR 45 



With the Godwits and Knots in May came also 

 a few Grey Plovers, never in large flocks, but in 

 small parties of ten or a dozen. At this time of 

 year they were exceedingly handsome ; their breasts 

 jet black, their backs looking as if flakes of snow 

 had fallen upon them as they slept at night, their 

 dark heads being similarly whitened here and there 



THE SANDBRLING. 



in patches. On the wing they were at once dis- 

 tinguishable, not only by their chequered appear- 

 ance (the black breast and axillary plumes contrast- 

 ing finely with the snow-white under surface of the 

 wing), but also by their loud and plaintive dissyllabic 

 call, uttered at intervals as they flew. 



In the main channel, as it was called, which 

 wound tortuously from the harbour's mouth to its 

 north-east corner, where lay the little village of 

 Siddlesham, large black posts were set at intervals 



