298 



Note on the Sleep of Birds. By G. G. Butler. 



On the morning of December 2l8t 1900, just before dawn, 

 after the disastrous gale of the 20th (which occurred 

 on the night following the Club's Anniversary Meeting) 

 the keeper at Ewart Park was walking through the pine 

 wood known as the " Wilderness," which lost much fine 

 timber in the gale, and just as he passed a large prostrate 

 Scotch fir, he startled a Cushat from its sleep ; out of the top 

 branches, which were now close to the ground, the bird 

 flew with its usual clatter of wings, and made off. There 

 seems to be little doubt that the Cushat must have gone 

 to rest before the storm of the night, have slumbered through 

 the tossing caused by the gale, through the short period 

 while the tree was falling, and, with its claws still firmly 

 clasped on the branch, have slept soundly in its new position 

 until awakened by the passing keeper. 



