220 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



the farmyards and dung-heaps, or pick among the 

 droppings on the roads ; but the Bramblings linger 

 in the beech woods and about the fields which 

 are being manured. The Rooks soon suffer from 

 hunger and dig about in the snow for anything eatable. 

 They also visit the manure-heaps in company with 

 Starlings, and now and then a noisy Jay or Magpie 

 joins them at this common rendezvous. 



By the stream and in the rushy corners of the pools 

 we may flush the Jack Snipe. He cares little for the 

 snow and clings to his favourite haunt until the frost 

 comes, when he leaves the stagnant pools and swamps 

 for the running streams. During, previous to, or just 

 after a snowstorm, many birds are apt to wander far 

 from their usual haunts. Now and then a big Gull may 

 be seen flying over the inland fields, lost in the snow ; 

 and flock after flock of Lapwings cross the white country 

 in quest of open ground. Birds also show a strong 

 tendency to leave the woods and outlying districts and 

 draw near to farmhouses and villages, conscious that 

 more food can be found in such places. Domestic 

 Fowls and Ducks, horses and live stock must be fed, 

 and the birds pick up their share. I have known such 

 birds as Buntings, Chaffinches, and even Magpies visit 

 pigsties after a snowstorm to feed upon the contents of 

 the trough. Rooks will often at such a time visit the 

 turnip pits and sheep runs to feed on the pieces of 



