xi Departing Birds : an Epilogue 279 



as late as in 1891, when I caught my last glimpse 

 of a Swallow in Oxford on the morning of 23rd 

 November. There will be more than four months 

 this winter between the departure of the last 

 Swallow and the appearance of the first Chiffchaff. 

 As I write this last paragraph (5th October), the 

 wind has turned to the east, and brought cold 

 rain with it. A large Gull, in immature plumage, 

 has passed over the village in a north - easterly 

 direction. Not a Warbler is to be seen anywhere ; 

 the Fieldfares and Eed wings may be expected daily. 

 We are getting ready for winter, and my summer 

 studies are over. 



