220 ARDENMOHR. 



call of another flying at some distance away to the 

 north. 



That the woodcock should be mute is not so much 

 to be wondered at. No doubt it has a sort of voice, 

 for in the breeding season it flies about at dusk 

 croaking mildly, and occasionally gives a sort of 

 chinking squeak ; how different from its long-beaked 

 swamp cousin, the curlew, which has a pipe like a 

 railway whistle. Yet, sharp and loud although it be, 

 still is it a wild and pleasing voice when heard near 

 the whaup's haunts in the wide and desolate moor, or 

 far out on the sandy sea- shore. 



Another puzzle is the migration of the swift ; it is 

 the latest to arrive of all the swallow tribe, yet, 

 strange enough, it is much the earliest to leave us. 

 Not a swift is to be seen by the end of August, and 

 at that time insect life is in full abundance. It has 

 most wonderful powers of flight, and, considering its 

 tardy arrival, should rather overstay the others, 

 instead of being off so hurriedly. In fact, the only 

 rational elucidation of the business seems to have 

 been given long ago by Charles Lamb, who, when he 

 worked in the India House, was rated for being 

 always latest at his office : " Ah ! yes," he said, "but 

 I am first to go." 



