6 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



sally forth to explore in other directions. The storm has ceased 

 and all is still once more, save for the distant report of the 

 sportsman's gun, which rattles through the cold, crisp air. 



Walking along through the avenue of Fir trees, and now 

 and then coming across a sturdy Beech or Elm, it was no 

 uncommon thing to hear the laugh of the Green Woodpecker 

 and the cry of the Jackdaw, whilst the liquid bubble of a 

 solitary Thrush enlivened us, as also the brilliancy of the 

 golden-red beams of the setting sun in the far West. As seen 

 through the colonnade of tall trees it had indeed a charming 

 effect. 



It was only to be expected that we should be startled now 

 and again by the abrupt " cock-up" of a Pheasant, but what 

 pleased me most was the sight of a Sparrow Hawk hovering 

 over the tops of the " giants of the forest," although those 

 " obnoxious little creatures" which the Hawk keeps in check 

 the House Sparrows were not nearly so numerous as might 

 have been expected, probably because they had left the country 

 side for their town vacation. 



From the top of a commanding hill we had a magnificent 

 view of the surrounding country. A very nice flock of Rooks 

 did not escape attention, as I stood a good many hundred feet 

 above sea-level. I say " a very nice flock" because it is such 

 a credit to those who encourage Rookeries and know from 

 practical experience the good these birds do to see our stock 

 of Rooks gradually on the increase again. William the Fourth, 

 if he could rise from his grave, would, I doubt not, rejoice to 

 see that these creatures which he protected had multiplied to 

 such a pleasing extent, and that there are now a great many 

 who realise the usefulness of our British Birds. 



The nimble Long Tailed Titmice were busy in the gardens, 

 and the Pied Wagtail was to be seen by the brooks and 

 rivulets on the Common, showing us that he has lost none of 

 that attractive gait, so characteristic of this bird. 



The Common Snipe is in abundance here, and so is the 

 Woodcock. This latter bird is the largest British representative 

 of the Snipe family. The wonderful working of Nature the 

 craftiness of her handiwork is well illustrated in the Woodcock, 

 for the bird is so suited to its manner of life and the devel- 



