AMONG THE BIRDS IN AUTUMN. 173 



gated here in thousands upon thousands, perching 

 on the mill roof, and circling in a countless throng 

 above the pool. High buildings appear to be a 

 great attraction to these birds when gathering 

 together just previous to the autumn flight. I 

 have known lofty factories, churches, and cathedrals 

 visited year by year for this purpose. These 

 Swallow meetings are intensely interesting. The 

 air is full of the fluttering little birds, as they 

 course to and fro, noisily twittering to each other, 

 as if discussing the long journey before them. 

 Rows of tired birds perch on the roofs of buildings, 

 on fences, and the dead branches of trees, on the 

 tops or " rigs " of stacks, and on telegraph wires. 

 Many of these are young birds, and their parents 

 may frequently be seen conveying food to them. 

 For the last ten years I have thought that the 

 Swallow has been gradually decreasing in numbers 

 in certain districts where I formerly remarked its 

 abundance. On the other hand, the House 

 Martin is certainly increasing, and also extending 

 its range. This matter is one for the naturalist to 

 further investigate and observe, 



As soon as the grain has been cut and harvested 

 we find the stubbles become the chosen haunts of 

 many kinds of birds. One of the most familiar 

 birds of the stubble is the Partridge, now in 

 coveys of varying size. We may often flush 

 these skulking, timid birds from our very feet, and 

 the whirr of their wings is quite startling as they 

 hurry away. Partridges in autumn are very fond 



