148 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



speck in the sky, she disappeared. On several 

 successive days she returned to the town, but no 

 one was near to lure her down. Then there was 

 a great storm, and after a tempestuous day I saw 

 her in the gloaming, passing low over the houses, 

 and tossing wearily against the wind. That night 

 the rain fell in torrents ; but on the following 

 morning she was seen about the fields by some 

 boys, who nearly caught her. Ten days later she 

 was reported from a neighbouring woodland, and 

 on the next evening I saw her there, flying from 

 tree to tree in the recognisable manner of a liberated 

 captive. At this time she no doubt fed mostly 

 on grasshoppers and beetles, with an occasional 

 mouse or sparrow. Some days later I watched her 

 through the telescope as she sat at the side of a 

 wood, contentedly preening in the rays of the 

 setting sun. When the orb had disappeared, she 

 stretched her wings and flew to a near tree in the 

 open. Then once 'more she launched forth, and 

 commenced her regular evening journey across the 

 valley there, to a favourite place of rest. With 

 seemingly the speed of a wild hawk she swept 

 onward, turning slightly to face the gusty breeze, 



