394 BIRD LIFE AT BINGHAM'S MELCOMBE 



wife are, I believe, always true to each other. Even 

 in autumn and winter, they may be seen sitting, a 

 pair here and a pair there, on their favourite trees. 

 But it is in early spring, before the work of nest- 

 building begins, that their affection is most marked. 

 There is no billing and cooing, no make-believe of 

 flight and pursuit. They sit, side by side, hour after 

 hour, without a movement and without a sound, 

 contented with themselves and with the world, and 

 quite absorbed in their own hearts' happiness. 



We are fortunate enough to have in the grounds 

 of the Manor House, not as permanent residents, but 

 as lodgers for a good third of the year, the two birds 

 which surpass all other British birds in the brilliancy 

 of their colouring the kingfisher, with its rich 

 chestnut breast and the gorgeous greens and blues 

 of its back, and wings, and tail ; and the green wood- 

 pecker, with its crest of crimson and black, and its 

 body resplendent with greys and whites and bright 

 yellows and greens. 



The little stream which I have already described 

 as winding through the plantation, has, on one side 

 of it, a steeply-shelving bank of sand, rising to the 

 height of some thirty feet, and covered with trees. 

 Miniature landslips take place in this bank from 

 time to time, leaving behind them almost perpen- 



