AMONGST THE HEATHER AND GORSE. 21 



Torquay and Newton Abbot. Another bird very 

 characteristic of the northern moors also found on 

 Dartmoor is the Cuckoo. We have heard its 

 cheery cry in most localities from April onwards 

 to about the third week in June. Another Picarian 

 bird found somewhat commonly on various parts 

 of this moorland is the Swift. Like the Swallow, 

 this bird may often be seen coursing round the 

 rugged summits of the numerous " tors," and in 

 the crevices of these rocks it must of necessity 

 nest. This rock-haunting habit of the Swift is 

 a very interesting one, and undoubtedly indicates 

 the usual method of nesting in those far-off times 

 when buildings were not available. 



The winter aspect of .bird-life upon Dartmoor 

 is much less inviting. Small birds are almost 

 entirely absent, and the vast waste is tenanted 

 by little more than a few Snipe and Ducks, if 

 we except the Black Grouse that are sparingly 

 distributed and seldom seen. We know of few 

 localities more desolate and dreary than this wild 

 upland during winter, subject as it is at that 

 season especially to copious rains and mists, the 

 latter often gathering with startling suddenness, 

 and proving an inconvenience if not a downright 



