64 



MY LIFE AS A NATURALIST 



credit, had correctly identified the bird before inviting me to 

 stalk it. Unlike the somewhat local Common Redstart, which 

 is a Summer visitor, the Black Redstart is a Winter migrant 

 which may be expected in Autumn. It flirts its flame -coloured 

 tail in the same way as its relative, and, when upon the ground, 

 possesses the habit of a Wagtail, searching for food in a most 

 engaging way among upturned clods of earth. 



Probably the greatest sight I have ever witnessed among birds 

 was at Wells, Norfolk, in December 1909, when I saw a huge 

 flock of between three and four thousand Pink-Footed Geese in 

 flight at one time. I shall not readily forget the scene as the 

 wary birds made out to sea from the uplands, where they had 

 been feeding during the day. As they uttered their loud " honk, 

 honk " it seemed as if a fleet of motor cars, or aeroplanes sounding 

 weird motor-horns, was careering through the air. The din, 

 mingled with the North Sea breakers dashing upon the lonely 

 shore, was indescribable, a red-letter day indeed for an inland 



