70 BIRDS OF THE WAVE AND WOODLAND 



but the majority escape, being on the wing, or, at any rate, 

 running with their parents safely out of danger, by the time 

 that the mowers come. 



And the glossj' finches chatter 

 Up and down, np and down. 

 And the chaffinch idly sitteth 

 With her mate upon the sheaves, 

 And tlic wistful robin flitteth 

 Over beds of vellow leaves," 



" The Moorcock springs on ivlurring ivings 



Among the blooming heather ^ 



Burns. 



August is, by sad right, the month of the grouse — a month 

 of catastrophe, for it is then in the best of its health, enjoying 

 the best of the moor and harvest, when the fateful Twelfth 

 comes round ; and after the day is over, horrid with perpetual 

 guns, 



" at the close of eve 

 She gathers in, mournful, her brood dispersed 

 By murderous sport, and o'er the remnant spreads 

 Fondly her wings." 



It is now, too, that the ptarmigan collect into large parties, 



