BIRDS asylum to large colonies of herring-gulls during the breeding season ; while still more interesting is the fact that the peregrine falcon breeds in inaccessible portions of the cliffs. And here, probably, many years ago the chough bred, for it is included in Mr. Boys' list of Kent birds, and we believe that it bred (sparingly) in the neighbouring county of Sussex. On the north shore-line are Pegwell and Sandwich Bays, localities rich in shore birds. The former forms the mouth of the river Stour, and with its large expanse of mud flats — about two miles in width and nearly the same in length — becomes the resort during winter of many gulls and waders at low water. Sandwich Bay is flanked by sand hills and has a wide tract of sand and mud flats, visible at low tide. From this place most of the rare birds recorded by Mr. Boys were obtained, and it was here that the Sandwich tern was discovered by him to be a British bird in 1784. In the south-east corner of Kent from Hythe to Lydd there is a wide expanse of stones, that has been reclaimed from the sea. About Lydd it is interspersed with shallow pools of brackish water and reed-girt ponds. Among the latter are the well-known Hoppen Petts, the only Kentish breeding home of the black-headed gull. This great tract of stones is locally known as the ' Lydd beach.' Its brown surface is here and there relieved by green patches of the creeping sloe, cup-shaped hollies and clusters of the yellow beach poppy. In relation to bird life the Lydd beach, in the days of Knox, was one of the most attractive localities in the county ; but now, owing to the increased firing of both artillery and small arms from the camp at Lydd during the height of the breeding season, and the opening out of a portion of the beach by the Dungeness railway, many interesting species are on the point of dis- appearing. The thicknee and Kentish plovers now only breed there sparingly ; the colonies of common and lesser terns have diminished, while the spoonbill and avocet have become rare visitors. Between Lydd and Rye harbour the tide lays bare a wealth of sand. During migration this coast line is filled with bird voices. At low tide crowds of gulls line the water's edge. At times they raise a cackling chorus, now loud, now soft as a breathing echo. Then away on the sand the rattling cry of the turnstone, the plaintive notes of the ringed plover and the tremulant whistle of the dunlin will fitfully strike the ear. Farther inland, behind the Lydd beach, is the Romney marshland, where, in the days of Dr. Plomley of Lydd, in the ' forties,' both the ruff and bearded tit were found breeding and the great bustard was not uncom- mon. The other marshes in the county are those about Rainham, near Stourmouth, Wingham and Minster. Like Romney Marsh, all these localities in former days harboured many birds. Owing to the increase of cultivation and drainage, the area of these marshes has been consider- ably restricted, and consequently the ranks of our marsh-loving birds are much thinned compared with their number in former times. 269
