CHAPTER VI 



KESTREL SPARROW-HAWK SWALLOW 

 MARTIN SWIFT ROOK 



GREEN fields stretch before me for miles, divided 

 by hedges covered with honeysuckle, and dotted 

 over with bright wild roses. In some of the 

 meadows there stand stately oaks, and under the 

 shade are small herds of cattle grazing, and among 

 these is a number of Starlings, some feeding 

 peacefully, others quarrelling, and, as they do so 

 rising a few inches in the air, and sparring while 

 on the wing ; and then, after some harmless pecks, 

 quieting down and continuing to be more peace- 

 ful for a time. 



In the sweet-scented meadows the grass, not 

 yet being mown, waves in the sunlight ; and when 

 the soft wind passes over this flower-dotted 

 expanse, shades of grey and green are seen as the 



