FLOCKS OF BIRDS. 31 



Kestrels are almost common ; I have constantly 

 seen them while strolling along the road, generally 

 two together, and once three. In the latter part 

 of the summer and autumn they seem to be most 

 numerous, hovering over the recently reaped fields. 

 Certainly there is no scarcity of hawks here. Upon 

 one occasion, on Surbiton-hill, I saw a large bird 

 of the same kind, but not sufficiently near to identify. 

 From the gliding flight, the long forked tail, and 

 large size I supposed it to be a kite. The same bird 

 was going about next day, but still further off. I 

 cannot say that it was a kite, for unless it is a usual 

 haunt, it is not in my opinion wise to positively 

 identify a bird seen for so short a time. 



The thick hedge mentioned is a favourite resort 

 of blackbirds, and on a warm May morning, after a 

 shower they are extremely fond of a shower half 

 a dozen may be heard at once whistling in the elms. 

 They use the elms here because there are not many 

 oaks ; the oak is the blackbird's favourite song-tree. 

 There was one one day whistling with all his might 

 on the lower branch of an elm, at the very roadside, 

 and just above him a wood-pigeon was perched. A 

 pair of turtle doves built in the same hedge one 

 spring, and while resting on the gate by the roadside 

 their " coo-coo " mingled with the song of the night- 

 ingale and thrush, the blackbird's whistle, the chiff- 

 chaff's " chip-chip," the willow-wren's pleading voice, 

 and the rustle of green corn as the wind came rushing 

 (as it always does to a gateway). 



Goldfinches come by occasionally, not often, but 

 still they do come. The rarest bird seems to be the 



