Iiavc been encountered on its passage to our shores, the weather having been exceedingly stormy for some days
past. Immature birds are also Frequently met with during autumn about the mudbanks on some of the
Sussex rivers, and they also visit the pools of brackish water inside the slunglo-bauks along several parts of
the const-line. The winding course of the river Adnr, From Sboreham Harbour to llramher, is still a favourite
resort for immature birds every autumn, and further east the flats between Bye and Wiuehelsca were
formerly always frequented at this seasou.
The first entry in my notes concerning tin- species occurs under the date of the ldth of September, lSol),
when three young birds were shot at a large pool of brackish water near the centre or the wide-stretching
shingle-hanks near the Nook at Rye*. An extraordinary number of Waders were then scattered over the
mudflats and along the course of the broad dyke that led from the backwater near Winehelsea guardhouse to
the tideway in the harbour. A great change has now taken place over this oucc famous resort for Powl and
Waders; the whole stretch of mudflats covered at every tide have, after several failures, been at length drained
and turned into grass-marshes, and the chance for observing rare species formerly to lie obtained must no
longer be expected.
' The bird* obtained on Out daj in referred to under tbe henitnjt tJ >be Spotted Ktdthank on pure 1.
WOOD-SANDPIPER.
TOT ANUS GLAREOLA.
WHY the name of Wood-Sand pi per was bestowed on this marsh-Frequenting species appears a mystery ;
to the Green Sandpiper this appellation would have been far more appropriate, that wary bird, it is well
known, being the only Sandpiper that ever lays its eggs in clefts in the branches, squirrels' dredges, or
deserted nests of Pigeons, Thrushes, Crows, or any other birds that are suitable in the greenwood trees.
The carlii'st nrrivul of the Wood-Sand pi per in this country in the spring is recorded in my notes
under the date May 10th, 1SS2, when a remarkably fine adult male in full summer plumage was shot
in u marsh-dyke near Shorelium Harbour, in West Sussex. While shooting, fishing, and collecting In
the Hat country in the cast of Norfolk, I repeatedly remarked during the summer mouths that a suddeu
change of weather, or an unaccustomed rise or fall of the water, would immediately bring these birds
in larger or smaller numbers to the hills round the broads. On the 18th of May, 1SS3, the wind blowing
strong from the north, with frequent squalls, a flock of about thirty Wood-Sandpipers were in company
with as many llccves on the hills round lliekhtig Broad; after getting on wing the two species separated
at once, but joined again on alighting, after living over the water for a time. I was unable to obtain a
sufficiently close view to ascertain the state of plumage exhibited by these birds j in all probability,
however, they were immature, as adults at this season are usually to bo seen singly, in pairs, or in
small parties.
The water on 1 tickling Broad, which bad been gradually falling for a week or so, was lower on the
Bth of .Tune, 1870, than any of the natives had previously witnessed, and the tide did not commence to How
Up the river for several days. During the interval, two or throe thicks of Little Stints and several pairs of
Wood-Sandpi|>ers in perfect plumage were seen, some of both species being obtained as specimens. All these
Waders were busily engaged in searching for food among the weeds exposed by the fall of the water, and
proved exceedingly fearless when approached by the punt, allowing a v cry close Inspection to he made.
Enrly in August 1V>9 I ascertained that a pool of water, collected in an excavation where the
shingle had been carried away from the »idc-sprcading hanks for the formation of a line of railway near
Rye, in East Sussex, was a very favourite rcsurt for these birds. A flock, varying from twenty to
twice that miinlier, usually frequented this spot every season for several weeks during the years I visited
the district, Tbe birds proved lie all immature, and wen' generally found feeding in the long grass and
among the rank vegetation round the pool ; DOW and then 1 noticed one or two perched on a line oT
p-'sis and rails that crossed this large piece of shallow water.
This species is to lie seen all through the summer in the broad country in the cast of Norfolk; I
find the following in my notes for 187« under the date of June ItOth :—'• Heavy rain had fallen during
the night, with squalls of wind from the north-east; soon after daybreak there were many flocks of
Waders on the marshes round the broad. At least a score of immature Kufl's and Beeves and as many