AN ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLE. 215 



ramble in the vicinity of Leeds, It was about four o'clock in the morning 

 when we set out^ and although some rain had fallen in the night, it was 

 then bright and clear. We had previously planned visiting a piece of water 

 a few acres in extent at a place called Killinbeck, about three miles along 

 the York road. Thither we accordingly bent our steps, and reached it by 

 sunrise. We saw nothing particular for the first mile or two, but as we 

 neared the pond we met with the Tree Pipit. The sight of this bird always 

 gives me pleasure, more especially when seen for the first time in the spring, 

 as was the case on this occasion. His note is not particularly musical, and 

 its charm lies more in the manner in which it is uttered than in its quality. 

 See him perched on the topmost twig of that old ash! He warbles a few 

 notes to himself, as if to get into the right key, starts from his perch, and, 

 with rapid beats mounts up, up, up, singing joyously. This continues a few 

 seconds; his upward progress becomes slower; he poises a moment in mid 

 air, spreads his wings like a parachute, and gently descends in a graceful 

 curve, singing merrily all the time. As he nears the ground, we perceive 

 his little feet extended to their utmost, as if eager to seize the grassy turf, 

 and very often his song is continued after alighting. They were very abundant 

 on this occasion, although they could not have arrived more than a day or 

 two. Lesser Redpoles, too, were numerous. We saw several of them hopping 

 about ainongst the ti'ces in their usual sprightly manner, continually uttering 

 their short note, which always reminds me of the rattling of loose cog-wheels 

 in an old watch. 



The Willow Wren, which had arrived on the 18th. of the month, was also 

 plentiful, and is, like all the Sylviadoe, perhaps a still greater favorite with me 

 than the Tree Pipit. Though not gaily coloured, its form is remarkably elegant; 

 and although he does not possess great musical powers, his song is very 

 pleasant and lively, and is, moreover, uttered at intervals during the whole 

 of his stay with us. None of the other Warblers, I think, are so willing 

 to take up their abode near large towns. I was considerably surprised one 

 day at seeing a pair of these birds in the trees at Beech Grove Terrace, 

 which is by no means beyond the smoky atmosphere, singing and chasing 

 insects as if perfectly at home. 



We had now reached the banks of the pond, where birds were pretty plentiful. 

 Besides the two species just mentioned, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Starlings, 

 Linnets, and Chaffinches, and a variety of others, were singing merrily, or 

 sporting among the trees; while numerous Water Hens were swimming about, 

 or dabbling among the reeds. We had not proceeded far before we found 

 a nest of one of the latter birds, which we were searching for very eagerly. 

 It was placed among some rushes a few yards from the shore, and was 

 only to be obtained by wading. No sooner had I set foot in the water, 

 than the bird, which had probably merely quitted the nest, and slipped 

 beneath the surface on our approach, rose up in great alarm at finding her 

 clement invaded, and flew off to the other side of the pond. The nest was 



