RED-LETTER DAYS AMONG BIRDS 



63 



appeared overhead, attracted by the quarrelling, and, perceiving 

 an opportunity of closer investigation, it dashed down, landed 

 on the post as is here shown (Fig. 25), and commenced scolding 

 the Sparrows because they, seeing the Hawk at close quarters, 

 had suddenly taken flight rather than be made prisoners. The 

 incident was full of comedy, one of those humorous asides one 

 may note in birdland when cultivating a watchful eye. 



FIG. 26. COMMON REDSTART. 



On another occasion I had further evidence of the law of 

 attraction, and counter-attraction, when two Mistle Thrushes 

 were mobbing a Tawny Owl. The former were making a fearful 

 din, rovers that they are, and thus attracted a Kestrel to the 

 scene. The bird of prey's appearance meant the driving away 

 of the Thrushes when pursued by the Kestrel, the Owl being thus 

 left alone to blink (and think) over the episode in peace. 



On two occasions near at home I have experienced red-letter 

 days among birds when brought into contact with the Black 

 Redstart. A female of this species appeared in my garden a 

 few years ago, and, in the early Spring of 1915, I watched a fine 

 male in the garden of one of my juvenile pupils, who, to her 



