A BIRD LOVER'S YEAR 



flits up the stem of the trees. Song thrushes 

 are to be seen in plentiful numbers, whilst 

 redwings and fieldfares usually arrive to- 

 wards the end of the month from their 

 summer quarters in Northern Europe. 



These latter birds (which belong to the 

 family of thrushes) pass the winter with us 

 and may be seen until the spring months 

 reappear, when once again they wend their 

 way far northwards, for neither fieldfares 

 nor redwings have so far ever been known 

 to nest in Britain. 



By October the wild-duck is strong on 

 the wing and may be seen flighting every 

 evening. Later in the year the severer 

 weather will bring in many rarer species, 

 but at present there can be no more charm- 

 ing sight than a " mist o' duck " as they 

 fly in on a bright October moonlight 

 night. What music there is in the swish 

 of the wild ducks' wings as the flock 

 passes high overhead, adhering to the V 

 formation of flight, a music which is only 

 equalled by the honking of the passing wild 

 geese. 



Strolling over the stubble one puts up a 

 stray covey of partridges which whirr away 



101 



