162 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



white clusters. The banks are hidden with ferns 

 and wild flowers, and a thick short turf stretches 

 invitingly under foot. This is the spot for an 

 ornithologist, for here the small birds love to 

 congregate. The Chiff-chaff, Willow Wren, and 

 noisy Whitethroat are heard and seen at intervals 

 as we stroll down the long vista. The Swallow, 

 first seen like a speck at the end of the lane, comes 

 skimming over the ground impetuously towards us, 

 only rising overhead when within a few feet, to 

 avoid a collision ; while the Chaffinch, Yellow- 

 hammer, and Great Tit, then in their best plum- 

 age, keep flitting in and out before us, and look 

 brighter than ever against the background of 

 white " May." 



It is in a lane like this that the Bullfinch takes 

 up his abode in summer, visiting the nearest 

 gardens, and making raids upon the fruit-trees 

 where opportunity occurs. As autumn goes by 

 and winter approaches, we find him by the cover- 

 side and in more sheltered situations. Many a 

 time when standing, gun in hand, at the corner of 

 a wood, waiting for the approach of the beaters, 

 have we been enlivened by watching the actions 



