158 FROM SPRING TO FALL. 



in ornithological publications ; for a bustard was shot 

 in the South Downs in the winter of 1893 to 1894 

 which certainly was not recorded. Some birds 

 moult heavily — that is, they lose nearly all their 

 flight-feathers at one time — and the consequence is 

 that the birds so moulting have only their legs to 

 trust to. The bustard is one of the birds that moult 

 in this way ; and so he comes to grief. 



I have seen some quibbles raised in print about 

 the impossibility of greyhounds or long-dogs captur- 

 ing bustards ; although the statements of such cap- 

 tures have been made by men who have not only seen 

 them, but done the same thing with their own dogs. 



All nests are beautiful, taking into consideration 

 the purposes that they are built for; even the 

 slovenly ones, as the boys call them, which fall to 

 pieces under their rough handling, are perfect 

 works, when in the spots where the birds have 

 placed them. Some I have handled require as 

 much care as a butterfly or moth to get them home 

 in perfect condition. 



Where the reeds have not been cut, you may see, 

 late in the season, the deserted home of the reed- 

 warbler — the " reed-sparrer " of the marshmen. 



