192 The Birds oj a Surrey SniaUholdUig. 



1 sliould also say that at the l)ott()in of the meadow above 

 referred to runs a small ri\er, with the belt ot trees beyond; 

 here one s^ets glimpses of the lo\ely hues of a Kiui^'fi slier, who 

 frequents the rixerbanks; ])ossil)ly I ou,i;ht to write in the i)lural, 

 but as 1 have only observed one on any occasi(jn 1 have not so 

 written. 



Turtle l)o\e (Tiniiir turiiir). — Of these really beautiful 

 birds as many as a dozen may often be seen feeding;- anions; 

 my poultry at one and same time, and there are few hours 

 in the day when they are entirely absent I have cauyht two 

 pairs, which now adorn my large aviary. 



Wood Pigeons are less numerous anil only one has been 

 seen on the holding, but occasionally two (pair?) have been 

 seen feeding in the adjoining meadow. 



1 may interpolate here, that in the surrounding meadow 

 Pheasants, Partridges, Lapwings, Rooks and Crows, are very 

 numerous at various times during the year, especially in the 

 early mornings and evenings. 



This is qtiite a Cuckoo district, and, welcome as their 

 pleasant call is in the early spring, it becomes monotonous and 

 disturbing a little later. They are frequently to be seen and 

 heard (usually several at the same time) in the early morning, 

 again at noon, and the whole of the evening l... quite late. I 

 heard its voice for the last time this year on the evening of 

 July 17th. 



The Chaffinch is, perhaps, the most numerous species. 

 and these are as common, if not more so, than Passer 

 domesticus. 



The T.esser Redpoll has been very numerous, quite 

 flocks of them, and they have bred in the trees adjoining my 

 holding, and also in a very tall conifer in the front of the house. 



The Linnet also is to l)c seen in fairly large flocks and 

 very beautiful they look, too, foraging amid the vegetables, 

 as they display the lovely rose-coloured patches on head and 

 breast. 



