APRIL 91 



out the season to the coppice or bushy thicket by the 

 roadside which it selects on arrival. The first Redstart 

 shows us a flash of colour as he goes along the hedge, 

 pausing to sing and vibrate his ruddy tail, while a 

 newly arrived Tree Pipit is making his restless little 

 ascents and descents, trilling out a song which would be 

 little noticed but for the louder, penetrating notes 

 with which it ends. These, as we have often observed 

 when travelling, are clearly audible above the noise 

 of a train in motion. The Blackcap from the leafing 

 oaks adds a voice of first-rate quality and compass 

 to the spring choir. Many consider that no rival 

 songster reaches the level of his rich, mellow strain. 

 A walk along the brook-side will now show that the 

 Common Sandpiper is back in bis summer haunts, 

 trilling out his love-song and playing about over the 

 surface of the quiet pools with all the quick turns of 

 the swallow tribe. 



In the third week of the month often comes a 

 change from the harsh, dry winds which have 

 prevailed for so long. At evening the birds sing 

 with fresh vigour for they feel the rain coming. 

 After a night of warm showers the morning shows 

 that the hedgerows have rushed into leaf and that the 

 chestnut leaves begin " to spread into the perfect fan." 

 The change is accompanied by a rush of migrants ; five 

 or six new-comers may be noted in the course of the 

 day. Now, spring personified, comes the call of the 



