GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 313 



was attested by two good observers. The 

 scarcity of this bird in some seasons is a theme 

 with which readers of "The Field" of late 

 years have become tolerably familiar ; but no 

 light is thrown upon the subject, nor is any 

 cause suggested by those from whom calendars 

 were received. 



That far-famed songster, the Nightingale, 

 whose notes are so eagerly listened for in early 

 spring, was not heard last year before April 9 ; 

 but, from causes already referred to, the first 

 utterance of song does not always indicate the 

 earliest arrival, and it is probable that the birds 

 had already been some days in their favourite 

 haunts before their welcome notes betrayed 

 them. 



No more favourable locality for this species 

 could be found, perhaps, than that wherein they 

 were soonest observed — namely, the neighbour- 

 hood of Ratham, in Sussex. Situated on the 

 flat country between the downs and the sea, 

 about three miles from the former and seven 

 from the latter, with an arm of harbour within 



