IN DEVONSHIRE LANES. 225 



Our lanes are also by no means devoid of birds 

 in winter-time. True the number of species is 

 fewer, and the abundance or rarity of individuals is 

 ever fluctuating. At this season most birds are 

 more nomadic in their movements, more socially 

 inclined, and seem to prefer to wander up and down 

 in companies. Now the various hard-billed birds, 

 such as Finches and Buntings, become perceptibly 

 more numerous ; the Titmice especially are increased 

 in numbers. Then we may wander far down the 

 lanes without scarcely seeing a single bird, until we 

 meet with the social nomads in a mixed and merry 

 flock ; yet the Wren, and the Robin, and the Hedge 

 Accentor keep closely to the hedges throughout the 

 year, and gladden the winter with their cheerful 

 song. 



