RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



of any. We have many instances of this class : as a 

 good type we will take the Willow Warbler. When 

 these birds first arrive in this country they are never in 

 pairs, and indeed the male birds arrive a little before 

 the females. But observe them a few weeks later ; they 

 have all found a mate, and are employed in domestic 

 duties. It is the nature of these birds to make fresh 

 nests every season, and never in the same position or 

 locality. When once these birds have left their nests, 

 and the young can forage for themselves, I firmly 

 believe all connection between the two birds ceases ; 

 the nests are abandoned, never to be returned to, and 

 the birds roam about searching for food, very often 

 solitary, until the time of migration arrives. Several of 

 the Thrushes are for the most part solitary in their 

 habits except in the breeding season, while others roam 

 about in flocks, very often the males or females being 

 predominant ; but as spring arrives, separating into pairs 

 for incubation, after which the same routine is again 

 repeated. The Chaffinch is the same in flocks during 

 the winter, the sexes not at all social ; but as the breed- 

 ing season approaches they are again seen in pairs for 

 the propagation of their species. The Snipes, Plovers, 

 and Rails all pair annually, with the exception of the 

 Moorhen and Coot when living in a semi-domesticated 

 state. In the same manner the Buntings, Larks, many 

 of the Finches, Warblers, all pair in their due season. 



All these birds' nests, after once serving their pur- 

 pose, are abandoned for ever : a walk round the leafless 

 hedges will confirm this. Will the frail little White- 

 throat use yon abode again ? or will yonder Chaffinches' 

 nest ever more harbour another brood ? Will the Sand- 

 piper return to the cavity which once contained her 

 eggs ? or the Skylark seek out her home in the mea- 



