1 62 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



the great symbol of autumn is a sense of rest and 

 quietness among the animal kingdom. Silent are 

 the woods and copses now ; silent, save for the 

 rustling of the many-tinted leaves, as they fall 

 fitfully from the branches overhead; silent, save for 

 the occasional cry of the Blackbird and the Robin, 

 or the garrulous little Titmice and Goldcrests 

 high up in the painted trees. Most of our common 

 birds are either moulting, or scarcely yet recovered 

 from that tedious process of changing their feathers 

 hence this silence and the deserted aspect of the 

 woods. The movements of birds form one of the 

 most imposing beauties of autumn. On every side 

 we see signs of the vast feathered exodus. The 

 air is full of the Swallow tribe in fluttering hosts 

 the little birds course to and fro, full of the excite- 

 ment of setting out on their long journey to the 

 southern shores of Africa. As autumn advances 

 the birds complete their moult, and then we see 

 the migrants all restless and uneasy to be gone, 

 flying about the bushes and trees, as anxious now 

 to quit their breeding-places as they were eager to 

 reach them in the spring. Birds now appear to be 

 in the very height of their enjoyment. Family 

 cares are over ; the sickly period of moulting is 

 safely passed ; food is still plentiful ; the autumnal 

 air is mild and balmy ; the sunshine is yet warm 

 and genial all now seem given up entirely to 

 the pleasures of existence. And yet our little 

 feathered friends are surrounded by many perils, 

 many dangers ; not only they who flit about so 



