12 BIRD LIFE GLIMPSES 



which states the conviction, make it such? In this 

 famous poem there is no jot of argument, so 

 that the case, after reading it, stands exactly the same 

 as it did before. No more has been said now, either 

 for or against, than if any plain body had expressed 

 the same ideas in his or her own way. For these 

 mysterious sensations are not confined to poets or 

 great people. They are a common heritage, but 

 attract outside attention only when they find exalted 

 utterance. Suum cuique therefore. The poet's apti- 

 tude is to feel and express ; not, as a rule, to discover. 



Besides the grand sweeping rush of the wood- 

 pigeons over the plantation, which makes the air 

 full of sound, there is some fluttering of wings, as 

 the birds get into the trees ; but this is less than one 

 might expect. It is afterwards, when they fly — 

 first one and then another — from the tree they 

 have at first settled in to some other one, that they 

 think will suit them better, that the real noise 

 begins. Then all silence and solitude vanishes out 

 of the lonely plantation, and it becomes full of 

 bustle, liveliness, and commotion. The speed and 

 impetus of the first downward flight has carried the 

 birds smoothly on to the branches, but now, flying 

 under them, amongst the tree trunks, they move 

 heavily, make a great clattering of wings in getting 

 up to the selected bough, and often give a loud 

 final clap with them, as they perch upon it. 



Wood-pigeons are in greater numbers in this part 

 of Suff^olk than one might suppose would be the 

 case, in a country for the most part so open. How- 

 ever, even a small plantation will accommodate a 

 great many. I remember one cold afternoon in 



