AUTUMN AND WINTER BIRDS 



A GOLDCREST MIGRATION 



JUST when the great army of warblers that have 

 charmed us through summertime are preparing 

 to leave our shores, a like bird-movement is setting 

 in towards us. Our departing guests are comprised 

 mainly of the soft-billed wood-birds, but the host of 

 winter visitants is made up of hardier forms. 



Autumn winds have torn the more brittle boughs 

 from every tree. Shaggy and lichened bark covers 

 the pine- wood floors. Upon depths of pine needles 

 other needles drop, blotting out all fair vegetation. 

 Yet the deadness and dreariness of these tracts have 

 become animate for a while, and from every bough 

 and crevice come the mouse-like cheepings of in- 

 numerable birds. Vast flocks of goldcrests are con- 

 centrating themselves in one spot, whilst wood- 

 cocks, singly or in pairs, dart aimlessly about, and 

 fieldfares fill the air with a flutter of wings. The 

 goldcrests are the smallest and frailest of British 

 migrants; and now even they face the wild North 

 Sea, and essay to cross they know not why nor 



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