A BIR'DLOVER'S YEAR 



there too and you cannot fail to see the 

 starlings in the adjacent field. As the 

 autumn approaches these birds will begin 

 to " pack " and form themselves into little 

 companies. 



The lapwings also inhabit the fallow field 

 which " marches " with the lane, and in 

 the spring one occasionally comes across 

 the curlew, or sees him passing overhead, 

 giving utterance to his lonely and musical 

 " pipe." 



Partridges may be seen in close proximity 

 to the lane, and a nest with a dozen eggs is 

 no uncommon find. 



The redstart is a summer visitor who has 

 found his way to " the little winding road," 

 and he may be seen flicking his tail as he 

 flits along the hedge or the dilapidated little 

 stone dyke, overhead. 



One espies the quivering motion of the 

 kestrel as it " hovers " over its prey. This 

 latter bird deserves great encouragement on 

 account of the check it keeps on mice, voles, 

 &c. It is a charming little falcon, so full of 

 grace and energy, and a kestrel "hovering" 

 in mid- air is one of the prettiest sights in the 

 bird world. 



59 



