19 
smaller birds are now prompted to exercise their vocal powers, filling 
the woods and hedge-rows with their joyous harmony; and prepara- 
tions for pairing forecast the breeding-season. The Grouse tribe 
resort to their “ lek-stilles*,” the Rufts to their hillocks ; the Rooks 
return to their ancestral elms, and the Daws to the nooks and eran- 
nies of the castellated tower. 
it is at this particular season that birds assume their gayest 
colours, and oftentimes appear in accessory plumes. The Pea- 
cock now spreads his magnificent train to the greatest advantage, 
the Ruffs display their curious neck-plumes, the Grebes their tippets. 
and the Egret its flowing back-feathers. In short, every species is 
now arrayed in its newest and most showy dress. Pairing haying 
been accomplished, each species sets about the serious responsibili- 
ties implied in the propagation of its kind. Some, during this sea- 
son, delight to nest in company, as seen in our own familiar Rook, 
which will occupy in immense numbers the lofty trees of many a 
noble avenue, returning, year after year, for centuries, to the same 
spot. Such places, again, as Ailsa Craig, Handa, and Flamborough 
Head attract myriads of cliff-haunting species, which evince a similar 
tendency to reproduce in colonies. Few more wonderful sights can 
be seen during the month of June than the precipitous face of one 
of these places, say Handa. Viewed from the sea, there may be 
descried tier upon tier of Guillemots and Razor-bills, &c., almost 
jostling one another, from the manner in which they are closely 
packed. Each species constitutes a separate community, and 
strictly confines itself to its own ledges. The Cormorants and 
Gulls have also their selected situations. Far above all, in their 
curious rabbit-like burrows, in the sandy earth covering the sum- 
mit, congregate those oddest of all birds, the Puffins. The din and 
noise of such an assemblage is indescribable, and, when a gun is 
fired, almost unendurable ; while the circling, swooping flight of the 
countless myriads thus disturbed communicates the sensation of 
complete bewilderment. Usually among these great gatherings will 
breed a pair of some raptorial bird, such as the Peregrine, or more 
rarely the White-tailed Eagle, while in some of the more southern 
cliffs the Chough nestles, and adds its cackling cry to the universal 
hubbub. The Common Heron, again, is a bird nesting in communi- 
ties, choosing, as a rule, large pine-woods,—notable examples being 
the celebrated heronry on the property of Sir George Musgrave, 
Bart., at Eden Hall, in Cumberland, which comprises about one 
hundred nests, and that on the estate of W. Amhurst T. Amhurst, 
Esq., at Didlington Park, in Norfolk. Other and most interesting 
colonies of birds are to be seen, such as those of the Black-headed 
Gulls, in various counties, particularly at Scoulton and other meres 
in Norfolk. 
With respect to the receptacles for their eggs when laid, birds offer 
* Tek and lek-stille are Norwegian terms, applied to localities ‘‘ where 
affairs matrimonial are carried on.” We find them frequently used by Mr. Lloyd 
in his ‘Game-birds and Wild Fowl of Sweden and Norway,’ when alluding to 
the courting assemblies of the Capercailie, Blackcock, Snipe, &e. 5 
; c 
