A BIRDLQVER'S tYEAR 



departs from Tayside to its winter quarters, 

 which extend to Africa. 



Beside the river one may perchance hear 

 the notes of the sedge-warbler, who is the 

 singer of the night. The wanderer may sit 

 and listen to this little bird's song ere he 

 turns his steps towards home and bed. 



Leaving the riverside, one may next 

 ramble along a narrow lane which winds 

 upwards towards the hill. Here whitethroats 

 and willow- warblers are to be seen and heard. 

 A small garden lies close to the little lane 

 and shelters the wood- wren ; here also one 

 may pause awhile and listen to the twittering 

 of the birds and the buzz of the insects. 



I know a lovely garden 



Where dwell the sweetest flowers, 

 And there from morn to even 



I pass away the hours. 



Alas, how quickly do the hours of summer- 

 time fly 1 If the bird-watcher is also some- 

 what of a dreamer he may rest here for 

 many an hour hidden behind the briar- 

 bushes, which grow sufficiently high to shut 

 out the view of the few passers-by, whilst 

 the fly-catcher perches on the railings. From 

 76 



