80 BIRD LIFE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 



seeks the hillocks where the wood-ants are stirring. 

 By the cover-side two cock Pheasants are fighting, 

 sparring at each other with their wings. Suddenly 

 there is uproar in the woods, the scream of mistle 

 thrushes and the squalling of jays. The disturbers of 

 the peace have descried a Brown Owl, drowsing away 

 the noontide against a tree-trunk, and will hurl 

 contumely and vituperation at him until he takes 

 refuge in flight. In the thicket where the blackthorn 

 blossom shows snow-white, a pair of Long-tailed Tits 

 are finishing off their nest, the well-known barrel- 

 shaped structure studded with lichens exteriorly and a 

 perfect feather-bed within. Not less* exquisite in 

 shape and finish is the mossy cradle which a pair of 

 Goldcrests have attached to the underside of one of 

 the pendant branches of a spruce fir. Where the white 

 crags of the old limestone quarry show through the 

 screen of leafing beeches, there is stir and clamour. 

 Jackdaws dart into their nest-holes in noisy crowds, 

 keeping up a continual chatter. Vociferous Starlings 

 hurry to and fro. A pair of Kestrels, toying and 

 squealing overhead, are preparing to nest in one of 

 the crevices, having as solemnly grotesque neigh- 

 bours a pair of White Owls, while another hollow, 

 under the overhanging roots of a tree, is tenanted by 

 Stock Doves. It is a scene of cheerful bustle such as 

 only the nesting season can show. For to the influence 

 of the season we must credit this overflowing energy 



