AMONG THE GRASSES 139 



sudden running sallies, and quick stops, and sharp turns are 

 performed above the ground ; and the long tail which looks 

 exaggerated, almost absurd, a Blondin pole of excessive 

 length, while the bird is running or strutting about on fine 

 lawns this tail takes on the use -and likeness of a third wing, 

 and more than a wing, a plane and a rudder, both ; with other 

 uses in the delicate art of momentary hovering. The insect 

 food is given the birds in such profusion at this juncture, 

 that they must be as fully gorged as an old trout in Mayfly 

 time, before they have gone the length of a swath. 



How open to attack the creatures of the hay-field are 



STARLINGS 



when the mowers have passed may be in some measure 

 gathered from the change of bird population. Some par- 

 tridges are routed. It happens in places that nests are 

 cut up, and the old birds will sit so close that they are now 

 and again killed by the blade. There were finches, including 

 it is to be hoped goldfinches, flitting down from hedgerow 

 to the seed-heads. Now, in place of these the starlings 

 descend. They had perforated the grasses in winter for 

 grubs, and now they come to return to the charge more or 

 less intermitted during the period of long grass. 



At night the owls have a harvest only less rich than that 

 of the wagtails. A hay-field is full of mice. You might 

 think that they would be banished if not killed by the 



