544 PRACTICAL ORNITHOLOGY. 



murky sky of the London basin ; — for rny part, I am content 

 to gaze upon those cold but glorious hills, and shiver in the 

 keen blast that rolls the ragged clouds toward the Grampians. 



The Velvet Ducks, yesterday so numerous in the Bay of 

 Kirkaldy, have sought refuge farther up the estuary ; but the 

 Cormorants are still seen reposing on the rocks off Seafield 

 Tower, where all the year round you may find them at low 

 water, often in large flocks, standing lazily on the blackened 

 crags, now and then spreading their large broad wings to the 

 breeze, as if to dry them. 



Well, there being such a surf on the shore, I suppose a boat 

 cannot land at Pettycur, and therefore we must walk to Burnt- 

 island. 



It is just so ; but a naturalist needs never be at a loss for 

 amusement. Go where you will, there are birds. These larks, 

 which a few days ago were in full song, are now almost mute ; 

 but, although crowded in the shelter of the stone fences, and 

 on the western slopes of the little hills, they diligently search 

 the ploughed fields. Here, over the wall, we may view them 

 at hand. Now and then a male erects himself, and emits a 

 pleasant churr, which is responded to by a female, for I think 

 they have paired, although it is only the beginning of JNlarch. 

 One has encountered a rival, and they flutter in the air ; but 

 the blast drives them to the ground, and seems to have cooled 

 their ire. 



A few Thrushes are seen gliding along the hedges, and a 

 Blackbird hies away to the farm-yard. There a flock of Lap- 

 wings ! How beautifully they glide and wind, now inclining 

 to one side, now to the other, now shooting away, now labour- 

 ing against the gale. Some birds are speeding swiftly with 

 quick equal beats of their curved and pointed wings. They 

 are Golden Plovers, proceeding toward the shore, the high 

 grounds being covered with snow, and the marshes frozen. 

 Here are some Pipits cowering among the sea-weeds, and chirp- 

 ing at intervals their feeble and monotonous cries. Behind 

 the breakers is a Northern Diver, who gallantly floats on the 

 surges. He has a fish in his bill, apparently a flounder, which 

 he cannot swallow , wide as his gullet is, and is dabbing at it 



