122 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



Pheasants stray out of the covers on to the clover- 

 fields and into the standing corn ; whilst the 

 coveys of Partridges rise in startled haste from 

 the quiet corners. Down the hedgerow sides 

 broods of Long-tailed Tits and their parents 

 hurry along like little balls of feathers trooping in 

 a straggling train from bush to bush. Every- 

 where we come across nests whose little inhabi- 

 tants have flown ; only a few droppings and a 

 little scurf left behind to tell the tale of departure. 

 companies, 1 " Blue Titmice, and their larger congeners, the 

 ithjuiy. Q reat Titmice, are now and then seen and heard 

 among the trees ; they call little now, are difficult 

 to see among the leaves, and their plumage has 

 lost most of its spring beauty and brilliancy. 

 Here and there we may come across family parties 

 of Spotted Flycatchers. These birds love to sit 

 upon the iron railings and wooden fences round 

 the new haystacks, and the young ones wait 

 patiently while their parents catch the passing 

 insects for them. The Flycatcher is expert at his 

 business, and rarely misses his quarry ; the sharp 

 snap of his beak, as it closes upon the poor fly, 

 being audible at a dozen paces. The young birds 

 may be readily distinguished from their parents 

 S, U 2nd by their much more spotted appearance. On the 

 August. m oors the Ring Ousels show an inclination to 

 pack. As soon as ever the mountain fruits are 

 ripe these birds congregate to feast upon them, 

 and even wander to the gardens near the moors 

 for a similar purpose. In the shrubberies vast 



