EVERGREENS AND BIRD LIFE, 351 



the chirping Sparrows have found a safe retreat amongst 

 the clustering ivy. There a company of Tits is 

 seen, wanderers no doubt throughout the day, settling 

 into the nearest evergreens at night. Redwings 

 regularly repair to the friendly shelter of the holly, 

 while the gay little Chaffinches are seen seeking the 

 dark canopy of the yew. The dusky form of the 

 Blackbird is now seen flitting hither and thither in the 

 gloom, uttering his well-known cries, which sound 

 wonderfully clear and startling in the calm and frosty 

 evening air. The waning day is fast disappearing, and 

 the moon has commenced shedding her borrowed rays 

 upon the scene. A Redwing comes hastily into the 

 bush under which we are standing : quickly perceiving 

 us, he utters a call note of alarm and is off to seek more 

 suitable quarters. A party of Greenfinches now locate 

 themselves in this spreading yew, while the Starlings 

 hastily retreat into the ivy growing so densely round 

 yon hoary ash. In the deepest solitudes we hear the 

 piping cry of the Bullfinch, or hear his soft and plaintive 

 note calling to his mate close at hand. Above our 

 heads the Cushats, from the fields a mile away, are 

 winging their way to a favourite haunt in the pine's 

 gloomy branches : silent at this season, their rustling 

 wings are the only sounds we hear. The Wren utters 

 his few last notes, and seeks the safety of the wide 

 spreading laurel's branches. Now the Redwings arrive 

 en masse. A late feeding bird are they, and as a rule 

 seldom seen near their roosting place, save one or two 

 pioneers, till darkness is close at hand. See them 

 settle on the tallest underwood, uttering their well-known 

 notes, and after a brief reconnoitre silently flying into 

 the desired roosting place. A Robin is singing his 

 requiem to the parting day ere he seeks repose in the 



