1891. Scotland.
Sept. 10
(No 5)
Edinburgh. - weather. Perhaps the insects on which
they feed fly lower in sunny days than with
us.  
  As we were on our way back to Edinburgh
late in the afternoon we saw a great many
Wood Pigeons in the grain stubbles or passing
to or from them over the road.  I noticed
that on first entering the field they would
usually alight on the top of a wall or
"stook" and reconnoiter the place carefully
for a minute or two before descending to
the ground. They are among the shyest
of British birds in places where they are 
much hunted.
  The Robins were singing more freely this
afternoon than I have heard them at any
time since June. Indeed we were seldom
out of hearing of one or more of them.
  There is a greater difference in the musical
merits of different individuals of this species
than with any other bird of my acquaintance.
I heard one this afternoon which was a
superb songster, almost the equal, if seemed
to one at the time, of our Rose-breasted
Grosbeak in richness of voice and much superior
to this bird in brilliancy and vanity of
execution. I could have listened to him an
hour without tiring.
  We reached Edinburgh about 7 P.M.