1 90 ANNALS OF BIRD LFfE. 



Rooks wander up and down in quest of food. In 

 some districts, especially in the low-lying eastern 

 counties, the Black-headed Gull is a constant 

 companion of the ploughman, and searches among 

 the soil for similar substances to those eaten by 

 the Rook. It is a charming sight when a large 

 flock of these beautiful birds rise in a fluttering 

 throng and fly off to a distant part of the field, or 

 even settle on the tops of the trees in the hedges. 

 Black-headed Gulls wander far and wide from 

 their breeding stations as soon as the duties of the 

 year are over, not only visiting the coasts, 

 especially those which are low and muddy, but 

 following the course inland of tidal rivers for 

 miles, and spreading out over all the surrounding 

 farms. Lapwings also congregate on the newly- 

 ploughed land, and are especially fond of 

 frequenting flooded meadows, where an abundance 

 of food is obtainable. These birds leave the 

 moors in autumn and become even more 

 gregarious during this season and the winter. 

 A considerable migration of Kingfishers may 

 be observed during October, especially in the 

 low-lying counties near the Wash and along our 

 southern coasts. Most of these migrants are 

 young birds, easily recognised by the dark brown 

 tinge on the breast. 



As in spring and summer, the following table 

 will show the state of bird music during the 

 autumn months : 



