48 BIEI> NOTES 



throat singing vigorously ; the day before I saw a 

 swallow, and a few days before that a chiffchaff 

 was flitting and chiffchaffing about the roses in 

 the garden. Three greenfinches also appeared 

 there this morning, and I have seen a golden- 

 crested wren about. The nuthatches are the 

 most constant birds at my window now. If I 

 come down late I am sure to hear one calling, as 

 it were, for its breakfast, on the lime-trees opposite. 

 This morning when I at last opened the window 

 the bird almost flew in my face. I like to hear 

 the whirr of its strong wings close to me, though 

 it reminds me rather of the rapid opening of a fan 

 by a lady who is a little out of temper. 



