184 BIRD LIFE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR 



into September. Hence it appears that birds which 

 are not cut out for the part are tempted to emulate 

 the flycatcher's art. Certain it is that in these still 

 days we most commonly see the chaffinch or house 

 sparrow dart upwards from its perch and attempt 

 to catch a passing insect. Even starlings may be 

 seen hawking for flies with the exact flight of the 

 house-martin. On several occasions we have seen a 

 number of .the small black-headed gulls quartering 

 to and fro at a fair height, with short, quick turns 

 and twists quite unlike their usual mode of flight. 

 Were they merely playing, weaving the figures of an 

 aerial dance, in the enjoyment of the finest and warmest 

 weather of the summer, or were they essaying an insect 

 diet ? It was impossible to say. 



It is perhaps the fact that weather conditions are 

 usually ideal at the time which gives some of its 

 popularity to the " little brown bird " to whose pur- 

 suit the opening days of September are consecrated. 

 The grouse-moor must always be for the few, but " the 

 man in the street " may have his few acres of partridge 

 shooting. True, upon the first of September late broods 

 are anything but strong upon the wing, while some 

 young birds are scarcely past the " cheeper " stage. 

 Later in the month the survivors have greatly improved 

 in strength and condition. Exceptionally large coveys 

 are probably seldom the produce of a single nest. 

 Thus in one case known to us, the hen bird having been 



