82 LETTERS TO MARCO xin 



do generally when they have caught their fish, 

 so I concluded he had captured something. 



The hovering action was peculiar, as it 

 was not like that of the hawk with the head 

 and body level, but with the head slightly 

 raised, as I have endeavoured to sketch it for 

 you ; the difficulty with me is how he could 

 watch the object he intended to strike with 

 his head thus raised. If you meet any of 

 your ornithological friends, perhaps you will 

 kindly inquire as to these curious movements 

 of the bird. I am not disposed to enter into 

 the discussion of the destructiveness of birds 

 in gardens with your correspondent. I think 

 Mr. Morris of Nutbornholm Rectory has 

 summed up the matter very conclusively in 

 his little pamphlet on bird murder ; I will 

 send it to you, and you can give it to your 

 friend. I have read it with great interest ; 

 the arguments seem to me to be well stated, 

 and the evidence, strong and conclusive. 



The heavy rain last night has brought 

 down vast quantities of leaves, the flower- 



