Ornithological Rambles in Sussex: With a Systematic Catalogue of the Birds of that County, and Remarks on Their Local Distribution |
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abundant adult Amberley Amberley Castle appear approach arrival Arundel autumn Beachy Head beak boughs bourhood breeding breeding-season Brighton British Birds buzzard captured carrion crow Chichester cliffs coast colour common common buzzard congeners considerable numbers Cuckmere haven distance district Downs early edition eggs England falcon Falconida Family favourite feathered female fish flight flocks forest frequently goldfinches grey GULL habits harrier haunts hawk hen harrier heron heronry hill honey buzzard hooded crow immature kestrel killed larks latter male meadows migration miles months Natural History neigh nest Newhaven numbers observed occasionally occurred ornithological osprey Pagham harbour partially partridge peregrine Petworth Pevensey pheasants pied wagtail plumage ponds portion Post 8vo prey Pulborough rare ravens scarce sea eagle season seen Selsey Shoreham shores shot snipe sparrowhawk species specimen spring suddenly summer Sussex Swaysland tion tract trees visitor weald wild windhover wings winter woods Yarrell young birds
Popular passages
Page 87 - To want the strength of bulls, the fur of bears. Made for his use all creatures if he call, Say what their use, had he the...
Page 149 - ... perchance if the sky be clear, you may perceive them soaring aloft at such a height as would almost ensure their escape from observation, were it not for their joyous and exulting barks, 'which, in spite of the distance, fall distinctly on the ear ; or if the weather be wet and gloomy, you may see them perched on the summit of one of the huge hollow oaks in the flat of the park, the crooked and withered branch on which they sit projecting like the horn of some gigantic stag from the dense foliage...
Page 161 - forlorn hope," the attempt was worth the trial. It was late in the evening, I remember, when I put it in execution, and the next morning found me again on my way to the fir clump. Impatient to learn the result of my experiment, yet entertaining only a shadowy belief in the possibility of its success, I hastened to the park. Scarcely venturing to raise my eyes as I ascended the slope, I listened attentively, but no sound indicated the return of my absent friends. However, the scene soon changed,...
Page 75 - With other kindred birds of season, there They twitter cheerful, till the vernal months Invite them welcome back : for, thronging, now Innumerous wings are in commotion all.
Page 157 - To proceed : our agreeable narrator says — ' In the following year the beech grove was deserted for the fir-clump, I shall never forget my delight on discovering their new retreat near the Tower hill during the spring of 1844. In their new quarters the ravens now reign unmolested, the nest itself being concealed from ordinary observation among the evergreen boughs near the summit of one of the tallest trees, so as to escape the notice of the wayfarers who traverse Upperton Common or pass along...
Page 152 - I soon perceived that these were the especial objects of his hatred and hostility ; for after dashing into the midst of them, and executing several rapid movements in the air, he succeeded in effectually driving them to a considerable distance from his nest. During this manoeuvre the superior size of the raven became more apparent than when viewed alone, and his power of flight was advantageously exhibited by comparison with that of his smaller congener. The latter, indeed, seemed to bear about the...
Page 128 - ... that he notices around him. Presently a voice exclaims, " Here they are, look out!" and a cluster of dark specks becomes visible at a great distance. In a few moments he perceives that this is a flock of larks...
Page 150 - ... a rifle-bullet directed through the bottom of the nest stretched the female bird lifeless within it; and shortly afterwards, her partner, who had been catering for her at a distance, was saluted on his return with a volley of shot, which laid him quivering at...