SIGNS OF AUTUMN 231 



observed at early morning or in the evening. In 

 autumn, when the days seem to be shortening 

 rapidly, birds generally go comparatively early to 

 the places where they roost, probably because their 

 food is plentiful and easily obtained, and the 

 evening meal therefore not delayed. In making 

 the journey to the place of rest, birds generally 

 fly in a style which shows their identity. The 

 finches fly in scattered companies, with an undu- 

 lating and sparrow-like flight ; starlings travel in 

 closer array, and often in immense flocks, generally 

 at a fair height, but, when there is any fear of 

 attack by a hawk, at a very low elevation, barely 

 at the level of the tops of the taller trees ; and 

 jackdaws, rooks, and crows travel in couples 

 though many couples may be in one flock, and 

 this suggests that already some of them have 

 begun to " keep company " with each other, 

 preparatory to mating in the spring. I commend 

 this habit of flying in couples in autumn to 

 the consideration of the believers in the " stag- 

 rooks," or spring bachelors born in the preceding 

 year. 



When making choice of a lodgment for the 



