262 BIRDS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. 



stuffed, but still more beautiful does this rainbow bird seem when alive 

 and within two yards of you, as I have often watched it from a window. 

 It will dive into the water and seize a minnow and be off in an instant, 

 returning again soon after to the same twig. Those glorious birds of 

 summer, the Swallows, whose arrival here we long for and hail with 

 delight, are represented with us by four species, viz., the Common 

 Chimney Swallow, Martin, Sand Martin, and Swift. They are 

 easily distinguished by a little careful observation. Those with the long 

 tail feathers and an almost black back are the Swallows, who are 

 generally the first to arrive. Those with purple back and a white patch 

 over the tail are easily distinguished as the Martins, while the little 

 Sand Martin and the Swift can be readily recognised by their small size 

 and brown colour, and the rapid speed with which the latter cleaves the 

 air. This spring I saw two Swallows on the 2nd April, on the 3rd saw 

 at least fifty, on the 10th the Martins and Sand Martins had also arrived, 

 and on the 20th came the Swifts, who are always the last to arrive and 

 the first to go. Nearly the whole time they are here is occupied with 

 the process of nesting. In the latter end of September I saw young 

 Martins still in the nest. By September 9th the Swifts were gone, the 

 second week of October was enough for the Martins, while the Swallows 

 were not all gone until the 24th of October. One more bird belonging to 

 this great order and I will pass on to the Rasores. The Nightjar is fairly 

 common, especially on the borders of woods and plantations. As it is 

 always about at dusk and therefore not often seen, except by those who 

 are on the look out for it, it is perhaps thought to be more rare than 

 it really is. 



Order 3. — Rasores or Scratchers. — The Queest, Stock Dove, Rock 

 Dove, Turtle Dove, and Passenger Pigeon head this order, and are fairly 

 abundant. The Passenger Pigeons, which we read of as occcurring in 

 myriads in America, breaking the branches with their weight, sometimes 

 also pass over Stroud in immense flocks. They settle on open lands for 

 the purpose of feeding, retiring to the larger woods as night draws near 

 to roost. The Pheasant is well known to most of us, both on the table 

 and in most plantations. The Common Partridge is abundant, while the 

 Red-legged Partridge, or Frenchmen as they are sportingly called, are 

 also found in the less frequented districts. The Quail has been shot near 

 Frampton Mansel, and I have myself several times heard it around 

 Brimscombe, though I have never had the pleasure of seeing it. The 

 Grouse and Capercailie belong to this order, but as in Gloucestershire we 

 cannot boast grouse moors, these fine birds cannot be entered in our list. 

 This is the least numerous of the five orders, only seventeen in all. 



Order 4. — Grallatores or Waders. — The Golden Plover is to be found 

 on Frocester Hill, and very probably many other similar localities, 

 especially in arable fields ; while large flocks of the Lapwing or Peewit, 

 looking very beautiful as they whirl about in the sunlight, are by no 

 means uncommon. The Stone Curlew, the last of this family, has also 

 been seen. The Heron, with its long neck, small body, and still longer 

 legs, iB often met with. They are certainly most curious looking 



