Birds. 623 



Roller, Coracias garrula. This is a rare bird. Mr. Plomley has a 

 specimen in his collection, and informs me it is occasionally to be met 

 with in Romney marsh. A good specimen was shot a year or two ago 

 at Wootton. 



Bee-eater, Merops Apiaster. A specimen of this rare bird was shot 

 in the Isle of Thanet, in May, 1827 : there is also one in Mr. Plom- 

 ley's collection, which was shot in the parish of Lydd. 



Kingfisher, Alcedo Ispida. Common. 



Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Abundant. 



Martin, H. urbica. Ditto, 



Sand-martin, H. riparia. Common. 



Swift, Cypselus Apus. Ditto. 



Alpine swift, C. alpinus* The first example of this rare bird seen 

 in England, was shot in the Isle of Thanet, in June, 1820, by the bai- 

 liff of R. Holfond, Esq. ; since which time three others have been shot 

 in England and one in Ireland. 



Goatsucker, Caprimulgus europceus. This interesting bird arrives 

 here about the first week in May, and takes its departure early in Sep- 

 tember. 



Ring dove, Columba Palumbus. Abundant. 



Turtle dove, C. Turtur. Common. 



Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus. 



Partridge, Perdix cinerea. 



Red-legged ditto, P. rubra. 



Quail, Coturnix vulgaris. Not common. 



Little bustard, Otis Tetrax. Very rare. Two specimens obtained 

 by Mr. Plomley, in Romney marsh. 



Cream-coloured courser, Cursorius europceus. Of this very rare 

 bird " five specimens only," says Mudie, " are recorded as having been 

 seen, three of which were in England, but wide apart both in space 

 and time, one in France and one in Austria." One of the three taken 

 in England, was shot within five miles of this place, by the late W. 

 Hammond, Esq., of St. Albans, and from whose son, the present pro- 

 prietor of St. Albans, I received the following account. While walk- 

 ing over a ploughed field, Mr. H. observed this bird ; it was perfectly 

 fearless at his approach, and he sent to a cottage, not far distant, and 

 obtained a rook-gun, which however hung fire, and he missed it. The 

 report made the bird rise, but after making two or three circles in the 

 air, it again alighted within a hundred yards of him. Although some 

 time elapsed before he could obtain another gun, yet so bold was the 

 bird that it continued running with great swiftness, occasionally pick- 



