A MARSH WALK IN MAY 17 



for temporary concealment, the Wheatear suddenly 

 appears and disappears. He is a timorous bird, 

 easily alarmed ; and on the warrens which he most 

 loves to frequent, he will often take refuge in a rabbit 

 burrow. 



Some birds appear commoner in the marshes in 

 August and September, after the young are hatched, 



THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 



than they do in May. The Meadow Pipit is one of 

 these. During the first week of September, when 

 in pursuit of Partridges, we may often see scores of 

 these little birds on the marsh, jumping up at 

 intervals almost under our feet, and hurrying off 

 with a spasmodic, jerky flight and sharp twittering 

 note. In May, however, only a few scattered pairs 

 are to be observed on the marsh, the majority having- 

 gone further inland for the breeding season. 



