100 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



1 have only described a few nests I came across, but I find 

 myself in the position I have often done before that of having 

 to unwillingly draw to a close. Before I do so I should 

 like to mention that hereafter the Golden Plover is to be 

 honoured with a place in my list of " Singing Birds." Having seen 

 one or two to-day reminded me that a few weeks ago I observed 

 a flock of at least three or four hundred, wheeling round and 

 round, and the whole company twittering and calling in a most 

 pleasing manner, then with a mighty momentous sweep and 

 in unison, settling on some ploughed land amongst yet another 

 flock. It was distinctly pleasing to see such a flock in Hert- 

 fordshire. 



The Swifts on the day of my nesting ramble were to be 

 seen towering up towards the clouds. On craggy precipices 

 amongst the Sea birds in their thousands is doubtless exciting 

 and interesting, but the quiet secluded leafy lanes, the woodland 

 glens, and the sylvan glades of Hertfordshire, possess more 

 attraction for me than adventures among the Eagles, Falcons, 

 Skuas, and hosts of other birds who wheel in buoyant flight 

 over the vast expanse of the mighty deep. 



