FJIR MMVS OF FSB^^RT 37 



busy sounds that stir the frosty air the familiar nourish 

 of the yellow-hammer. And now the dawn of spring 

 seems to remind him of songsters long unheard. You 

 may hear his faultless rendering of the wryneck's cry 

 before the bird itself has alighted on our shores. 



Many birds are busy now with the great work of the 

 year. The heronry is all alive with the clamour of 

 insatiable nestlings. Already the raven meditates turn- 

 ing her sturdy brood adrift. 



An old poacher, whose vocation has in bygone days 

 given him better opportunities than most men of study- 

 ing the manners of this chief of outlaws, maintains that 

 the raven sets to the human race an excellent example 

 in the method of bringing up a family. No plunder is 

 brought home for them after they are strong enough to 

 help themselves. There is no idea at all of allowing 

 them to lead a life of idleness hanging about with 

 their hands in their pockets, so to speak, while their 

 parents forage for them far and near. " No," said the 

 old man, " she do take up one young bird at a time in 

 her claws, and do carry him into the wood so far s'ever 

 she can, and there she'll lef him, so that he med fend 

 for himself. There do be a sight of idle young fellows 

 about, who did ought to be served just the same way." 



The heron and the raven always begin housekeeping 

 early in the year but by this time, doubtless, there are 

 many young birds crying to be fed. 



There is a lull at present in the rookery. The nests 

 are finished and the eggs are laid. Now and then above 

 the ordinary clamour is heard that strange choking 



