34 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



the most curious noises ; he was evidently courting, 

 and in a great state of expectant excitement. The 

 hoot was given, started in the, ordinary way, then 

 it was stopped to be started again in a louder key. 

 There was hesitation again, and then came the 

 finish with notes which sounded as if he was filled 

 with joy. The answer to all this was the notes 

 kee-wick, kee-wick, and in the twilight I could see 

 two shadowy forms, one chasing the other. I 

 imitated his call as near as possible, to see what 

 the result would be, and he, no doubt thinking me to 

 be another owl, moved farther afield with his mate ; 

 and with a parting hoot reminded me that two is 

 good company while three may be otherwise. 



Not very far from the owls' haunt in the suburban 

 park a pair of kestrels reared a family, and although 

 I was constantly rambling round the fields, it was 

 not until the young were able to fly that I really 

 knew they had bred there, and then I could not find 

 the nest which they had utilised. I often saw one of 

 the birds hovering, however, 



" As if let down from the heaven there 

 By a viewless silken thread." 



Few of the smaller birds seem to fear the kestrel. 

 If he flies over they heed him not, for they know he 

 is no general enemy of theirs, like the sparrow-hawk. 

 It is surprising what a number of small birds will be 



