241 



More conspicuous at this season, however, are the 

 habits of the Finches and Buntings that throng the 

 stubbles and ploughed lands, especially the former, in 

 large numbers. The. immense size of the flocks of 

 Sparrows and other small birds always brings to our 

 mind the insensate persecution to which the smaller 

 Hawks are subjected in many parts of the country, 

 and the pity of it. As these noble birds are destroyed 

 by gamekeepers, the small birds begin to increase in 

 numbers, and farmers complain and organize Sparrow 

 Clubs for the destruction of these and other birds 

 which levy toll on their grain. Thus, in order to 

 preserve the chicks and poults of the Red Grouse for 

 example, a species which periodically falls a victim 

 to a disease far more fatal in its results than the 

 onslaught of birds of prey, both Hawk (I may 

 especially instance the little Merlin) and Finch suffer. 



Before the first quarter of the 3^ear is out, the 

 flocks of small birds are rapidly breaking up, as the 

 pairs retire to their favourite breeding haunts. The 

 Grey Wagtail is seen once more by the clear hill 

 streams, and the Pied and Yellow Wagtails are in con- 

 siderable parties on the fallows, while a few of the 

 earliest summer migrants, the Wheatear for example, 

 make their appearance, and the Snow Bunting, Field- 

 fare, and other arctic breeders begin to depart, 

 although these migration phenomena are not yet very 

 marked. 



Very different is the appearance of bird-life in the 

 event of a severe and prolonged frost in the early part 

 of the year. All signs of activity and song are chilled 

 and deadened. The birds are almost as thoroughly in 

 the grip of Jack Frost, one would think, as 



"The stream in icy fetters bound, 

 Beiumibed and cramped to solid ground." 



The Rooks and Starlings visit their nests no 

 loncrer. Birds of many sorts draw near the dwellings 



