SIDE UGHTS ON BIRDS 



tree-top always exactly in the same place, and all 

 the time it was sitting there it was uttering the 

 usual cries of " ka-ka-ka-ka," so well known to 

 ornithologists in the breeding season : then it 

 would suddenly leave the branch and commence 

 shooting downwards through the air, producing 

 the peculiar sound known as drumming or bleating. 

 On its again performing it would often be 

 joined by another, perhaps its mate. They would 

 drum for some time and then, closing their wings 

 over their backs in the manner of tame pigeons, 

 would suddenly drop into the sedges : when about 

 to do this they would give a special sort of squeak, 

 then both drop near each other. After a time 

 one would rise and begin the performance over 

 again, and again light on the branch of the tree : 

 it would allow me to walk quite near to it and I 

 noticed it when singing its love song of " ka-ka- 

 ka-ka," it did not seem to open its beak. This 

 snipe might be seen in the tree at any time of the 

 day. I have often seen snipe on rails and posts 

 but not before on a tree-top. A pair of redshanks 

 nesting in the same marsh may occasionally be 

 seen on another tree, but this is not so unusual 

 in the breeding season." 



134^ 



