22 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



danger to the unsuspecting wanderer unprovided 

 with map or compass. 



Thus briefly may be summarised the chief 

 avine characteristics of an otherwise singularly 

 beautiful district, romantic in its wild grandeur, 

 and, so far as England is concerned, possibly 

 without a rival for the panoramic views of vast 

 tracts of country which roll away from its barren 

 tors and peaks in a fertile expanse smiling with 

 pastures and woods, stretching out to the distant 

 sea. Meagre may Dartmoor's bird-life be, but 

 the little that this district possesses forms one of 

 its brightest summer charms, and helps consider- 

 ably to its full enjoyment. 



Now a few words concerning bird-life amongst 

 the gorse. We believe there is an old Devonshire 

 saying to the effect that the golden bloom of the 

 gorse is, like kissing, never out of season. So far 

 as the bloom is concerned this is literally true ; 

 as for the other part of the wise old saw, we 

 will leave that for the West Country swains and 

 maidens to decide amongst themselves. In Devon- 

 shire the gorse, like the ivy, may be met with 

 almost everywhere, in some places covering many 

 acres of ground, where, summer and winter alike, 



