Birds. 239 



evergreens. My own observations are confirmatory of their state- 

 ments. This spring, in passing through the moor to which I have 

 already referred, I came on a large flock of this thrush, evidently gone 

 to rest for the night. The majority of the birds were roosting in tall 

 furze bushes, and on the branches of young fir trees ; whilst the 

 others had taken shelter amongst the long grass and heath. 



Yellow Hammer or Yellow Bunting. On the 20th of April last 

 year, my attention was directed towards a small hedge by a melan- 

 choly chirp. On approaching the spot I found a yellow bunting 

 perched within a few yards of me, uttering a most distressing cry. — 

 I approached still nearer, thinking that perhaps it might be unable to 

 fly away ; and my presence did not in the least disturb it, till I actu- 

 ally put forth my hand to take it. When it was gone, I looked around 

 to ascertain the cause of this strange circumstance, but could only 

 see a number of peewits at a little distance, performing their gro- 

 tesque antics in the air, while the curlew afar off was whistling above 

 the moor. After a time, however, I discovered the cause. Above me 

 a hawk was sailing round and round : its wings were evidently fully 

 expanded and motionless, although at considerable intervals a qui- 

 vering or quick beating for a few moments was visible : I watched its 

 gyrations till it disappeared in the height. It is probable it had been 

 examining the district, but being disturbed by my arrival had as- 

 cended. Which species of falcon it was I know not, as I was not 

 sufficiently near it to determine. 



The Rook. A few days before this occurrence I was greatly de- 

 lighted in witnessing the manceuvres of half-a-dozen rooks, engaged 

 in persecuting a sparrow-hawk. The rooks were occupied in picking 

 up worms, grubs, &c., from a newly ploughed field, when the hawk 

 glided over them at an elevation of about two feet from the ground. 

 Tn an instant the rooks were on the wing ; and as he continued his 

 flight, apparently unconcerned, they flew along side of him, and then 

 mounting in the air came down with a sweep till within a few feet of 

 his back. Even this did not seem to disturb the self-possession of 

 the beautiful creature : onwards he flew, skimming over the fields, 

 and bounding over the fences, till he was far beyond the reach of his 

 black persecutors. During this cuffing not a song was heard proceed- 

 ing either from the neighbouring woods or from the heavens above ; 

 but no sooner was the bird of prey out of sight than the woods were 

 vocal, and the air echoed with the glad songs of a hundred larks. 



