276 KINGSCLERE 



fear, hunting the insect life which the latter have 

 disturbed. There is a rookery between Cannon 

 Heath and Sydmonton which a noisy colony has 

 occupied ever since I can remember, and probably 

 generations before I made its acquaintance. As far 

 as I can see, there is no reason why the flock should 

 not build as freely at one end of the plantation as 

 they do at the other. But, no. Year after year 

 they congregate at the same end. I may remark 

 that this particular tribe of rooks are not only strictly 

 conservative, but intelligent as well — or perhaps I 

 ought to put it another way, they are intelligent 

 because they are conservative. However, it in- 

 variably happens when the horses appear over the 

 brow of the hill that a detachment of the birds leave 

 the rookery and closely follow the animals in their 

 track, diligently performing the office of scavengers 

 as they continue the pursuit. Amongst rare visitors 

 to the Downs I count the ring ousel and the quail. 

 Nevertheless, they are " annuals." 



' Now and then a kestrel will make its appearance, 

 while the call of the curlew is not an unfamiliar 

 sound. As to the nightingales, they are regular 

 visitors; but to hear their "jug, jug" to perfection 

 you must ensconce yourself in the gardens at Park 

 House. There are jackdaws galore to be seen at 

 Sydmonton, starlings work together in immense 

 flocks, and all the land is alive with larks. 



' The most troublesome creatures to the trainer 

 are the ants and moles. It is astonishing what 

 large heaps of earth are thrown up by both. It 



