FLOCKS OF BIRDS 2^3Z 



shooting the bullfinches or blackbirds and so on, 

 that steal his fruit, or destroy his buds, is absurd. 

 It is equally absurd to fine what twaddle ! a 

 lad for taking a bird's egg. The only point upon 

 which I am fully clear is that the birdcatcher who 

 takes birds on land not his own or in his occupa- 

 tion, on public property, as roads, wastes, com- 

 mons, and so forth, ought to be rigidly put down. 

 But as for the small birds as a mass, I am con- 

 vinced that they will never cease out of the land. 



It is not easy to progress far along this road, 

 because every bird suggests so many reflections and 

 recollections. Upon approaching the rising ground 

 at Ewell green plovers or peewits become plentiful 

 in the cornfields. In spring and early summer the 

 flocks break up to some extent, and the scattered 

 parties conduct their nesting operations in the 

 pastures or on the downs. In autumn they collect 

 together again, and flocks of fifty or more are 

 commonly seen. Now and then a much larger 

 flock comes down into the plain, wheeling to and 

 fro, and presently descending upon an arable field, 

 where they cover the ground. 



45 



