160 ROUND THE GREAT WHITE HORSE 



snow, though in one hard by several coveys of partridges 

 were huddled. Here were all the rooks. In the 

 morning they had made a combined attack upon a rick, 

 and stripped the thatch. Now they were hastening to 

 avail themselves of what light remained ; as each black 

 robber left the rick he carried off an ear of corn to eat 

 in the field adjoining. But a barley-rick presented the 

 strangest sight. The sides were black with small birds 

 dragging out the straws with desperate energy ; while 

 beneath it the ground was covered by a fluttering, rest- 

 less, feathery mass of birds, close-packed, eager, palpi- 

 tating. The flock consisted of greenfinches, yellow- 

 hammers, buntings, and chaffinches ; the sparrows had 

 disappeared. By this time the light was failing, but 

 hunger was not yet satisfied. On a sudden the mass of 

 small birds rose as a kestrel swept round the stack and 

 carried off one of their number, but instantly settled 

 and were once more busy. A few minutes later a 

 covey of partridges pitched down at a short distance ; 

 and after a few anxious calls, and stretching their necks 

 as they reconnoitred the ground, they scampered over 

 the snow to the stack. It was pretty to watch them 

 fearlessly attacking the grain, jumping up now and 

 then to reach a tempting ear, or chasing one another 

 round the rick. Soon another covey joined them, and 

 afterwards a third all in frantic haste to make the 

 most of their opportunity before nightfall. But by 

 this time the light was disappearing warning us to 

 return and make arrangements for recovering our falcon 

 next day. 



