NOTES ON VARIOUS BIRDS. 



It is strange, even in the present day, notwithstanding- the 

 many and cheap works on natural history, what an amount of 

 ignorance exists as to the various species of birds, their habits 

 and haunts. Even the very names of all but the commonest 

 species are unknown to many people. It must, nay it does, add 

 very considerably to the pleasure of a walk in the country to know 

 a little of the characteristics of the feathered tribe. 



Whatever innocent object takes us away from the crowded town 

 to the healthful country, must exercise a beneficial influence on 

 both body and mind. And what an attraction there is in the 

 water side, when the mist of morning is rising like a veil from 

 the face of the stream, just where the sun has shown his face 

 when all nature is fresh and cool. And when at noon the same 

 sun pours his fiery beams upon the element below, making it look 

 like a mass of molten metal, is it not pleasant to recline on the 

 grassy bank or loll lazily in a boat enjoying the " dolce far 

 neinte? " 



Again, when the tide comes rolling up under the light of 

 the broad, harvest moon, throwing a silvery sheen over the heav- 

 ing mass, who that has beheld the sight, and not worshipped the 

 God of Nature? Two thousand years ago the tide rolled in 

 bearing on its bosom the " Pict and painted Briton " in his 

 coracle, just as now we are borne along under the same moon. 



THE CORNCRAKE. 



Much oftener heard than seen, and yet frequently seen by those 

 who have the patience to watch. It makes its appearance towards 

 the end of April or beginning of May, when its harsh cry may 

 be heard all day, but especially at morning and evening. Perhaps 

 a good deal depends on the weather, as it seems to come later 

 when there is a cold backward spring. On its first arrival it is 

 easily decoyed by means of an instrument somewhat similar 

 to the old-fashioned watchman's rattle, or by the back of a knife 

 being drawn over the edge of an old saw or a strong comb. Of 

 course, you are in ambush. After calling a few times, to which 

 the bird will probably reply, there is an interval of silence, when 

 you call again ; the silence continues, your patience is, perhaps, 

 almost exhausted, when suddenly the snakelike head and neck of 



