28 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



even at a distance, by its peculiar habit of sus- 

 pending itself in the air on almost motionless 

 wings, while it surveys the ground below. Few 

 birds are more useful to man, its principal food 

 consisting of mice and beetles. 



The shrubberies in spring-time are the chosen 

 haunt of many birds that love seclusion and con- 



ia ul in nC 22nd cealment. Shy Bullfinches whisper love songs to 



ApriL their mates among the yew and holly trees ; 

 Greenfinches build their rustic nests among the 

 evergreens ; and many a shy Warbler delights to 

 suspend its flimsy cradle in the briars and brambles 

 by the stream which trickles through these se- 

 eluded places. The pleasant notes of the Green- 

 finch at this time of year sound particularly sweet, 

 especially when several males are warbling in 

 company. It is a noteworthy fact that this bird 

 is very social among its kind during the breeding 

 season, and several nests are often built quite 

 close together. We have frequently found two 

 nests in the same bush, and once or twice have 

 seen them almost side by side. 



Let us now leave the woodlands and the fields 

 and see what spring is like on the moors and 

 mountains. On the mild, genial days in April we 



m April" 1 ' ma y stan d and watch the Snipes careering high in 

 air, and listen to the peculiar drumming sound 

 which they make when engaged in courtship. 



jack snipes The Jack Snipe has left us for much higher 



leave, s8th . & 



latitudes, but the common Snipe frequents some 

 quiet bit of boggy ground either on or near 



