210 EVERSLEY GARDENS 



the mother bird sitting on it. He managed 

 to put it back, and the feeding went on as 

 usual for a few days ; but after a second 

 storm and a second fall the birds disappeared 

 and I greatly fear the young must have 

 been devoured by the stable cat, though the 

 parents are still safe and sound and by no 

 means disposed to leave the scene of their 

 misfortune. 



The handsome stone-chat is also a sworn 

 foe to insects. A few winters ago I got a 

 neighbouring farmer to fold his sheep on 

 my newly-laid croquet-ground ; and a stone- 

 chat instantly took possession of the hurdles, 

 perching on them for a moment only to fly 

 down the next and seize some invisible prey 

 with the pretty dipping motion that dis- 

 tinguishes his flight, and then returning to 

 his post. The brilliant little bird seemed to 

 have solved the problem of perpetual motion, 

 so rapid and ceaseless were his excursions. 



The great green woodpecker, who builds in 

 an old Oak tree near by, is also a frequent 

 and useful visitor, especially in snowy weather, 



