APRIL. FIELD-MICE — BRENT GEESE. 205 



CHAPTER XV. 



APRIL. 



Field-mice — Brent Geese — Arrival of Migratory Birds — In- 

 stinct of Crows in Feeding — Instinct of Thrushes — Disap- 

 pointments in Shooting Wild-geese — Death of White-fronted 

 Geese — Shetland Pony — Heronry — Anecdote of Boehuck — 

 Wild-duck's Nest. 



The wild-geese which came a few days ago have 

 now entirely disappeared, either in consequence of 

 finding no oats sown, or from some impending 

 change of weather on the higher grounds. 



The field-mice on the approach of cold and wet 

 shut up the mouths of their holes. There are a great 

 many of these little animals in some of the fields 

 near the house, notwithstanding the quantity killed 

 by the owls, who come down from the large woods 

 every night, and hunt in the cultivated grounds. 



Immense numbers of brent geese float with every 

 tide into the bays formed by the bar. As the tide 

 recedes they land on the grass and feed in closely- 

 packed flocks. On the land they are light active 

 birds, walking quickly, and with a graceful carriage. 

 On any alarm, before rising, they run together as 

 close as they can ; thus affording a good chance to 



