258 NATURAL APPEARANCES 



The labours of the husbandman have but a very 

 short intermission; for, no sooner is the harvest ga- 

 thered in, than the fields are again ploughed up and 

 prepared for the winter corn, rye, and wheat, which 

 are sown during this month and the next 



Not only the swallow-tribe, but many other small 

 birds which feed on insects, disappear on the ap- 

 proach of cold weather, when the insects themselves 

 are no longer to be met with. 



On the other hand, some birds arrive at this sea- 

 son from still more northerly countries, to spend the 

 winter with us. The fieldfare and red wing, whose 

 departure was mentioned in March, return about 

 the end of September. They feed chiefly on the 

 berries with which our woods and hedges are plen- 

 tifully stored all the winter. 



The mosl useful fruit this country affords, the ap- 

 ple, successively ripens, according to its different 

 kinds, from July to September or October ; but the 

 principal harvest of them is about the close of this 

 month. They are now gathered for our English 

 vintage, the cider-making, which, in some counties, 

 is a busy and important employment. 



Pears, treated in the same manner, yield a vinous 

 liquor called perry. These are the common drinks 

 in the counties where they are chiefly made. 



Partridge-shooting commences on the 14th of this 

 month. Partridges feed on grain and other seeds 

 Scratched up ; therefore live chiefly on the ground, 

 making much use of their legs, and little of their 

 wings. They pair early in the spring, the hen sit- 



