on Birds in Flanders.



299



appear to be recognised by the natives. However, while riding with

my C. 0., within half-a-mile of that place, I saw at a farm in

Zuydschoote, two swallows on the 28th of March, only three days

later than the above date. These were skimming close to the

water, the usual pool which one finds near these Flemish farms.

At that time one could go no further east for the French guns were

posted in the vicinity. Since then the Germans broke through in

the second famous attempt to possess Ypres.


Though this country is so small a distance from our own

there afppear to be many birds here which one does not see at

home. Unfortunately, being without books of reference, I can

only make drawings and mental notes and not give the names of

new kinds whose notes I have learnt.


On arrival at Strazeele in January I was struck by the

frequency of a bird resembling our own sparrow. The first thing

noticed was a whitish ring round the neck, then a dark patch

on the cheek. I know of the Mountain sparrow only from books,

hut do not remember the white collar. This white collar does not

extend to the nape. The bird is smaller than our sparrow, its

markings a lighter and more uniform brown. The sexes are similar.

The note is softer. At a chateau at Herzeele, where our unit was at

rest, I could watch a pair building a nest at the back of an opened

shutter.


The blackcap warbler appears to be common in the woods

over here, at least I have never seen so many before. The first I

noticed was in the trees that adorn the walks upon the battle¬

ments which surround Ypres on all except its north side. This

walk reveals beautiful scenery. Ypres is now a heap of ruins, but

its splendid battlements will always remain to remind one of its

antiquity and its wealth. The rampart is bounded by the ancient

wall at least three feet in thickness, and outside and far below is

the wide moat. I enjoyed listening to the blackcap, and felt

annoyed when at one time it was chased away by a pugnacious

robin.


In the moat are numerous moorhens, who paddle about

quite oblivious to the sound of heavy guns. Indeed, even when

German high explosives burst in the field only 200 yards away



