Crows and Swallows. 309 
the soil. By the shores of the lake they may, too, be 
often seen. I have counted sixty in one flock, 
and have seen flocks so numerous as to be unable 
to count them accurately ; that of course was ex- 
ceptional, but they are by no means uncommon birds 
in this district. In others it seems quite a rare thing 
to see a lapwing. 
They often appear to fly for a length of time 
together for the mere pleasure of flying. They rise 
without the slightest cause of alarm, and sail about 
to and fro over the same field for half an hour, then 
settle and feed again, and presently take wing and 
repeat the whirling about overhead. Solitary peewits 
will do the same thing; you would imagine they 
were going off at a great pace, instead of which back 
they come in a minute or two. Other birds fly for a 
purpose : the peewit seems to find enjoyment beating 
to and fro in the air. 
Crows frequently build in oaks, and unless they 
are driven away by shot will return to the same 
neighbourhood the following year. They appear to 
prefer places near water, and long after the nesting- 
time is past will visit the spot. Small birds will 
sometimes angrily pursue them through the air as 
they will hawks. As autumn approaches the 
swallows congregate on warm afternoons on church 
steeples; they may be seen whirling round and 
round in large flocks, and presently settling. I saw a 
crow go past a steeple a short time since where there 
