C U K L l<: W SAN DPI P E ll. 
a 
a; as built that successfully held back the flowing tide. The change from mud-banks to grass-marshes was 
evidently but little relished by the Sandpipers : the first autumn after the alteration I happened to be 
present AA hen a large mixed flock of CurlcAV Sandpipers and Stints, after AAdieeling round two or three times, 
settled doAA n among the sheep, AA’hich AA^ere now the occupants of tlieir former quarters ; after running 
about in the grass for a time, evidently bewildered by the transformation that had taken place, they 
appeared at last to comprehend the state of affairs, and uttering a succession of low cries, the Avhole 
flock took Aving m search of more congenial feeding-grounds * After this date the flocks of CurleAV 
Sandpipers resorted for the most part to the pools in the marshes, Avhere a constant overfloAV from the 
d}kes caused a muddy bottom, affording au abundance of food Avhenever the Avater fell. 
On again visiting the district in September 1809, I found most of the old haunts of these birds about 
the Nook and the adjoining marshes deserted, improved drainage having rendered the nature of the soil 
uUerly unsuitable to their requirements. Though I failed to detect the spot f to which tliey retired at 
high Avater, Curlew Sandpipers came in vieAv soon after the tide commenced to ebb. On the extensive 
sands to the east of llye Harbour, parties of small Waders were noticed, as the tide fell, gatheriu- into 
one large body ; on examining them carefully through the glasses and procuring a few specimens I 
ascertmned that the flock, numbering at least five hundred, Avas composed for the most part of Curlew 
San pipers with a sprinkling of Sanderlings and Kentish Plovers. Though feeding together on the 
flats the various species separated when disturbed, alighting again, however, in company and at no 
great distance, and immediately spreading out to search the soft mud in the channels in the sand. Most 
o tie birds AA'ere exceedingly tame; though watched closely through the glasses, I could not identify a 
single adult of this species, the whole number exhibiting tlie immature plumage. 
I remarked that there appears but little difference in the dates at which these Sandpipers make their 
appearance in autumn on the Xorfolk coast and the flats in tlie east and Avest of Sussex. As a rule 
gathei^ from my notes and the information from the coast-gunners that the earliest arrivals arc noted 
on leydon To the best of my knoAvledge, none were seen about Shoreham in 1882 till September 29 
IfTsSS Tlr ^ sea, flying Avest. In the season 
883 I obseived about half a dozen young birds feeding on the flats, in eompany Avith Dotterel and 
Dunlin, as early as the 15th of September. 
* The actions of these birds were exceedingly strange when the fact is considered that the whole of the P « i ■ 
undoubtedly birds of the year, and consequently could not have visited the marsh in its former condition Thou-h I'l 
certainty, the Stints also appeared to exhibit immature plumage. On no other occasion have I noticed mther species toTliir 
BO hard and dry as this stretch of marshland recently reclaimed. ^ 
t Probably some soft muddy pool, at no great distance from the shore, in Romney Marsh. 
