IN DEVONSHIRE LANES. 225 



Our lanes are also by no means devoid of birds 

 in winter-time. True the number of species is 

 fewer, and the abundance or rarity of individuals is 

 ever iluctuatino;. At this season most birds are 

 more nomadic in their movements, more socially 

 inclined, and seem to prefer to wander up and down 

 in companies. Now the various hard-billed birds, 

 such as Finches and Buntings, become perceptibly 

 more numerous ; the Titmice especially are increased 

 in numbers. Then we may wander far down the 

 lanes without scarcely seeing a single bird, until we 

 meet with the social nomads in a mixed and merry 

 flock ; yet the Wren, and the Robin, and the Hedge 

 Accentor keep closely to the hedges throughout the 

 year, and gladden the winter with their cheerful 

 song. 



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