AMONG THE BIRDS IN SUMMER. 105 



wing, and may be seen in the turnip-fields still 

 attended by their parents. The first broods of 

 young Greenfinches are out by the same time. 

 On the grass-fields flocks of young Starlings con- |^ li 

 gregate, in many cases attended by a few old June - 

 birds ; and families of Long-tailed Titmice may 

 be met with in the woods and along the hedge- 

 rows at the same period. Small flocks of House 



flock, 23th 



Sparrows repair to the turnip - fields and the June - 

 meadows, where they subsist chiefly on seeds. 



During the course of our summer rambles we 

 meet with many little feathered strangers. Our 

 old friends, the resident birds, we look to meet as 

 a matter of course ; but every now and then some 

 rare and interesting summer visitor comes before 

 our notice. As we wander through the fields by 

 the sides of the hedges, the garrulous little White- 

 throat takes his short, hurried flights before us 

 now down into the brambles, then up into the air, 

 singing lustily as he goes ; and every now and 

 then the Cuckoo's gladsome notes sound full and 

 loud from the woods. Very Hawk-like in appear- June! 6 ' 15th 

 ance, this latter bird may now be seen flying from 

 tree to tree, uttering a chuckling kind of cry. 

 The hens are busy prying about in all likely 

 places in search of nests in which to lay their 

 alien eggs ; the notes of the male are now not so 

 rich and clear, and are often composed of three 

 syllables cuck-cuck-oo. Along the quiet reaches 

 of the stream or round the margin of the lake, 



' Sandpiper 



we may meet with the Common Sandpiper oryj$ g> ist 



