In the first place considerable flocks of cross-beaks
(loxiae curvirostrae) have appeared this summer in the pine-groves
belonging to this house; the water-ousel is said to haunt the mouth
of the Lewes river, near Newhaven; and the Cornish chough builds,
I know, all along the chalky cliffs of the Sussex shore.
I was greatly pleased to see little parties of ring-ousels (my newly-
discovered migrators) scattered, at intervals, all along the Sussex-
downs from Chichester to Lewes. Let them come from whence
they will, it looks very auspicious that they are cantoned along the
coast in order to pass the channel when severe weather advances.
They visit us again in April, as it should seem, in their return; and
are not to be found in the dead of winter. It is remarkable that they
are very tame, and seem to have no manner of apprehensions of
danger from a person with a gun. There are bustards on the wide
downs near Brighthelmstone. No doubt you are acquainted with the
Sussex-downs: the prospects and rides round Lewes are most
lovely!
As I rode along near the coast I kept a very sharp lookout in the
lanes and woods, hoping I might, at this time of the year, have
discovered some of the summer short-winged birds of passage
crowding towards the coast in order for their departure: but it was
very extraordinary that I never saw a red-start, white-throat, black-
cap, uncrested wren, fly-catcher, etc.
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