AUGUST 165 



their hard, stony investment. The Greenfinch, on 

 the other hand, when enjoying the red, fruity part of 

 the " hips " of the dog-rose, may be seen to throw aside 

 the bristle-coated nutlets or " seeds." The Sparrows, 

 nesting duties over, betake themselves to the cornfields 

 and by over indulgence in grain forfeit any claim to 

 consideration based upon the fact that they rear their 

 young chiefly upon green caterpillars. The noisy 

 crowd of them, disturbed by farmer's boy with his 

 " clappers," rises from the stooks to cover the hedge- 

 top. But, mindful only of the danger which is evident, 

 they wot not of a silent and stealthy foe who glides 

 round the corner of the fence. In a moment the 

 Sparrow-hawk has singled out his victim — a plump 

 young bird, not yet strong upon the wing. Not only 

 for men and sparrows is it harvest-time ; the hawks, 

 too, in late summer find a plentiful table. 



In the latter part of August, Guillemots, Puffins 

 and other sea-fowl desert the cliffs. The story of the 

 month would net be complete without mention of the 

 flights of wading birds, Greenshank, Knot, Grey 

 Plover, Sanderling, Stints, Godwits and the like, which, 

 coming from the north, alight upon our coasts, 

 preferring the muddy estuaries and oozy channels of 

 the Eastern counties. With them sometimes comes 

 an Avocet, Spoonbill or Stork, but the chance of a 

 visit from one of these distinguished strangers is much 

 greater in the month of May. The Whimbrel is about 



