CAMEOS OF WILD LIFE. 69 



either flew on to the hedgerows and up into the trees, or 

 hurried away to settle in another part of the fields. 

 Greenfinches are also in flocks. These birds have now 

 deserted the grass fields, and live almost entirely 

 amongst the corn. Much more of the grain is wasted 

 than eaten, being scattered on the ground, as the birds 

 either cling to the straws, or break them down, where 

 the head soon mildews or rots, especially if any rain 

 should fall. These Finches feed most greedily, and the 

 new corn swelling in their stomachs and crops often 

 renders them almost unable to fly. If many birds come 

 to the fields for corn, there are others that come for 

 insects. These are the Willow Wrens and Whitethroats, 

 which may often be flushed from among the wheat and 

 oats, but they do no damage whatever. A cornfield is 

 always a charming sight even irrespective of the birds. 

 What beautiful waves and undulations play across its 

 surface as the wind rushes to and fro ; then the poppies 

 and the lilac-coloured scabious, how they gleam among 

 the golden grain ; and how cool and green the young 

 clover looks sprouting up between the straws. Then 

 the harvest mouse a wonderful little creature truly 

 has his home amongst the grain ; and the Swallows in 

 their steel-blue coats never seem to tire of crossing and 

 recrossing the undulating waving surface ! 



