FLOCKS OF BIRDS 



dashing through the crowd of them as they rose, 

 carried away a victim. It was done in the tenth 

 of a second. He came, singled his bird, and was 

 gone like the wind, before the whirr of wings had 

 ceased on the hawthorn where the flock cowered. 



Another time, but in a different direction, I saw 

 a hawk descend and either enter or appear to enter 

 a short much-cropped hedge, but twenty yards dis- 

 tant. I ran to the spot ; the hawk of course made 

 off, but there was nothing in the bush save a hedge 

 sparrow, which had probably attracted him, but 

 which he had not succeeded in getting. 



Kestrels are almost common ; I have constantly 

 seen them while strolling along the road, generally 

 two together, and once three. In the latter part 

 of the summer and autumn they seem to be most 

 numerous, hovering over the recently reaped fields. 

 Certainly there is no scarcity of hawks here. Upon 

 one occasion, on Surbiton-hill, I saw a large bird 

 of the same kind, but not sufficiently near to iden- 

 tify. From the gliding flight, the long forked tail, 

 and large size I supposed it to be a kite. The 

 same bird was going about next day, but still 

 further off. I cannot say that it was a kite, for 

 unless it is a usual haunt, it is not in my opinion 

 wise to positively identify a bird seen for so short 

 a time. 



The thick hedge mentioned is a favourite resort 

 35 



