194 BIRDS AND MAN 



and it has been conjectured that this magnifying 

 effect, which gives something of sublimity to the 

 soaring buzzard, is caused by the sunlight passing 

 through the semi- translucent wing and tail feathers. 

 In the case of the sheldrake, the exaggerated size 

 may be an effect of strong sunlight on a flying white 

 object. Seen on the wing at a distance the plum- 

 age appears entirely of a surpassing whiteness, the 

 dark patches of chestnut, black, and deep green 

 colour showing only when the bird is near, or when 

 it alights and folds its white wings. 



When the tide has covered their feeding-ground 

 on the coast, the sheldrakes are accustomed to visit 

 the low green pasture-lands, and may be seen in 

 small flocks feeding like geese on the clover and 

 grass. Here one day I saw about a dozen sheld- 

 rakes in the midst of an immense congregation of 

 rooks, daws, and starlings feeding among some 

 cows. It was a curious gathering, and the red 

 Devons, shining white sheldrakes, and black rooks 

 on the bright green grass, produced a singular effect. 



Best of all it is to observe the birds when breed- 

 ing in May. Brean Down is an ancient favourite 

 breeding-site, and the birds breed there in the 

 rabbit holes, and sometimes under a thick furze- 

 bush on the ground. At another spot on this coast 



