226 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



after a short time, if still hunted, " quat " in the 

 thickest bunch of grass or weeds he can find in the 

 ditch, and will stay till all but stepped on, when he 

 can be knocked down with a walking-stick. After the 

 grass is mown, the crakes leave the meadows and go 

 to the arable fields, where the crops afford them 

 shelter. This district seems a very favourite resort 

 of these birds. 



The mowing-grass while standing does not appear 

 to attract other birds much ; but immediately the 

 scythe has passed over they flock to the swathes from 

 the hedges, and come, too, to the hay itself when 

 quite dry. In hay there are many plants whose stems 

 are hollow. Now, as soon as a stalk is dry, if there 

 be any crevice at all, insects will creep in ; so that 

 these tiny tubes are frequently full of inhabitants, 

 which probably attract the birds. 



Sometimes a bird will perch for a moment on a hay- 

 maker's hat as he walks slowly down a lane with 

 hedges each side ; the fibres of hay have adhered to 

 it, and the keen eyes above have detected some moving 

 creature on them. Birds that are otherwise timid 

 will remain on the footpath to the very last moment, 

 almost till within reach, if they chance to be dissect- 

 ing a choice morsel, some exquisite beetle or moth 

 pecking at it in eager haste and running what to them 

 must seem a terrible risk for the sake of gratifying 

 their taste. 



The wood-pigeons are fond of acorns, and come for 

 them to the oaks growing in an irregular row along the 



