204 THE INFLUENCE OF 



golden and green together. They hold as 

 it were a sort of review in the endless fields 

 of the air. The lapwing wheel and lop 

 about with the freedom of irregular horse. 

 The golden plover are as symmetrical and as 

 well dressed in line and form as a regiment of 

 household troops. The lapwings do not keep 

 silence in the ranks, for through the keen 

 frosty air you can catch the odd petulant squeak 

 which is so different from the clear pipe of 

 their companions. Now is the time to steal 

 under a hedge and whistle a call in answer to 

 the trebles above. If you have a musical ear, 

 the natural instrument will serve you far better 

 than the mechanical lure. If you hear a 

 response, do not be disappointed on looking 

 up to see the birds sailing away as though 

 they never intended to return. They start 

 off on a system which I have frequently 

 noted. They seldom, in fact, drop right down 

 from a height, but descend in wide-ringed 

 circles. In any other save frosty weather, I 

 could scarce ever get a shot at these birds. 



When the wind is in the east, a cutting wind 

 with a whiff from the north in it, coming on 



