136 BIRDS OF THE WATER 



always in them are several small species, 

 the Waxeye, Fantail, and Warbler, with, 

 so to say, the wilderness behind them into 

 which they can at any time retire. 



Out of these wilds, pairs and parties of 

 Waxeyes are constantly coming down to 

 the gardens and orchards. In spring one 

 of the attractions is the green fly, and 

 during the breeding season the Waxeye 

 gathers from the flower beds a rich 

 harvest of caterpillars for his nestlings in 

 the neighbouring scrub. 



The breed is plentiful on the run, though 

 varying much in numbers from year to 

 year. Last season, for instance, they were 

 very plentiful, this comparatively scarce. 



In August, and before pairing, they go 

 about in flocks on the run, and may often 

 be seen on the hill side fuchsias, whose leaf- 

 less branches seem then to be stirred into 

 sentient life. Perhaps in a single tree one 

 or two score may be hanging like animated 

 fruit in a hundred strange and varying 

 attitudes. A continuous merry twitter 

 proceeds whilst they gather honey from the 

 bells of glaucous blue. 



