Sir

In reply to your letter I beg to say that the birds that arrive for the first few days are all males, I have never seen the female before the males of any birds males & Females come together after the first few days, but it is not the case when they go away, I one Spring shot 39 Rays Wagtails before I saw a female, I have several times known the male Whitethroat build the nest before the females arrive¹

I have seen clods of earth on the birds feet such as Wheatears Winchats Wagtails particulary on fogey mornings and certain they had only just crossed the water²

I have never noticed any substance in crops or stomachs of Birds when they arrive as they cross the water in the night or before they feed in the morning   the greater part of the Wagtails arrive between 7 or 8 Oclock in the morning   I have shot and caught birds for over 40 years and do so now if you should come to Brighton I could tell you a great deal more

I am | Sir | Your Most Ob^ent | Servant | Geo Swaysland