66 FROM SPRING TO FALL. 



with the number of birds found. But this season, 

 as a rule, there has not been any hay to cut ; even 

 the sheep have been fed and watered for a long 

 time, horned cattle also ; in fact, green grass has 

 been a very scarce food-supply ; even the wild rab- 

 bits have been put in some straits, and they are sup- 

 posed to do well on hard fare. Chalk-hills, however, 

 have only a crust of mould on their tops and sides, 

 so it is small wonder that they have been burnt up. 



A certain amount of moisture is of vital moment 

 to the landrail, or corncrake as the bird is generally 

 called. One small meadow of about two acres, 

 which I have passed twice every day during April, 

 May, June, and July, is usually a sure spot where 

 they may be found. On both sides and in front of 

 it run roads, well-used ones too, and a railway is at 

 the back of it — and yet here they come in preference 

 to places that might be considered far more suitable 

 for them ; but the birds know best about that. As the 

 field is small, the owner has it mown, not cut with 

 a machine, and the nesting birds are spared, if 

 possible, for a small tuft is left for them ; in fact, 

 the mowers cut round them and pass on. But this 

 year the rail is absent. 



