ii8 BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES 



But when the cold snow-squalls come from out of the 

 deep and the sea-rains fall cold and drenching, they flock 

 back over the protecting dunes of sand, and seek the leafless 

 alder-trees and eaves resounding with the gunner's shootings. 



And all winter long, when the decorative alder-trees hang 

 in the grey mist-world, you may see those trees covered 

 with redpolls clustering all over their branches like bees ; and 

 as the pale winter's sun gleams forth from a rift in the low 

 sky their little bodies gleam fulvous in the still and brimming 

 river amid the flickerings of the blue-tit, the spots of green- 

 finch green, and mayhap the gayer winter reflections of the 

 goldfinch, an arrangement in delicate colour surpassing the 

 cunning of any hand to paint, a dainty pattern of delicate 

 form and colour upon a silvery background; a decorative 

 panel of exquisite beauty that sends a thrill of complete all- 

 absorbing satisfaction through each atom of one's being; 

 an exquisite, indescribable, evanescent poem for the sight, 

 fleeting as the rose's perfume. A worthy setting for such a 

 perfect little artist as the dear wee redpoll. 



LESSER REDPOLL'S NEST AND EGGS. 



