A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



at a great pace, whilst a little regiment of 

 starlings wheel over one's head. 



Parties of siskins and linnets may be seen, 

 and close to the farm-steading one meets a 

 mixed company of sparrows, finches and 

 yellow-hammers. In the woods the wood- 

 pigeons are feasting on the beech nuts, and 

 patrol the country-side in flocks. With what 

 speed and vigour do these birds fly, how 

 difficult it is to approach them ! 



The gambols of a little party of long-tailed 

 tits is pleasant to watch. These dear little 

 birds have such a charming undulatory little 

 flight, as they dip 



To and fro 

 And high and low. 



ere they finally disappear from one's view. 



Truly autumn is a season of mists and 

 mysteries ; there is such a sense of fascination 

 in the lifting of the mist, the childish feeling 

 of wonderment as to what is hidden beneath 

 the soft grey folds of an autumn afternoon. 



In the other gardens 



And all up the vale, 

 From the autumn bonfires 



See the smoke trail. 

 102 



