304 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



the loose snow from the prickly branches, and 

 hopped along by the laurel bushes ; then the 

 track is lost, no snow lying under the trees to 

 receive the impress of his feet. But see, there 

 the steps begin again on the other side a series 

 of hops ; then suddenly they cease. Our Black- 

 bird rose here with startled cry, and made for the 

 thorn bushes yonder. He is even there now, 

 feeding on the scarlet berries ! 



High on the bleak stubbles, where the snow 

 lies like fine powder, the running footprints of 

 Skylarks may be traced, the long hind claw 

 being perfectly visible in many of them ; whilst 

 in the pastures the well-defined and somewhat 

 clumsy steps of the Rooks are everywhere, and 

 mingled amongst them the smaller footprints 

 of the Starling. Both these birds walk to and 

 fro, and consequently their imprints are never 

 side by side. Here are some in pairs, though, 

 by the margin of the pond, made by the Red- 

 wings ; and the hardy Wagtails have also been 

 and left their cards upon the snow. Another 

 track is visible here by the water a big, bold 

 footprint this, four inches or more from toe to 

 toe ; it has been made by the long, slender, 

 pliable feet of the Water-hen. We can trace it 

 some distance out on to the open field, then back 

 again to the water-side, along the rush-grown 

 margin to the thicket of yellow iris leaves, in 

 which the bird itself is skulking now. The 

 curious lobed feet of the Little Grebe have also 



