THE NATURALIST. 



from one end of tlie wood to the other. The call note of the male (as well 

 I am ahle to pronounce it,) is, Twa, Twit~it, Tweetee, Tweetee, TweeteBj 

 Tweetee, that of the female. Tweet, Tweet, Tweet, in a softer and lower 

 key. Looking upwards, the swallovfs, Hirundo rustica, seemed enjoying 

 themselves in pursuit of their usual aerial evolutions with unwonted activity ; 

 their pointed wings and tails, and the beautiful glossy hue of their plumage, 

 appearing gloriously in the sunshine. My friend informs me that a pair of swal- 

 lowsJiave taken up their abode under the eaves of his dwelling for several years 

 past, regularly making their first appearance during the first week in April ; 

 I might here also observe that the HirundincB in general appear scarcer 

 this season compared with that of previous years. The Swift, Cypselus apus 

 on the contrary, however, appears to be more plentiful But, returning to my 

 ramble, myriads of insects met my gaze every few steps I took, such a profu- 

 sion indeed, as I have failed to observe for several years past ; it is, as far as 

 my experience goes, one of the most prolific seasons for the insect world in 

 general that has occmTed for many years. Still walking on I saw a cluster 

 of seven or eight fir trees, to which I wended my way, and took my station 

 qu.ietly at the foot of one, to watch the actions of my little favourite, the 

 Gold Crested Wren, Regulus crlstatus, which inhabits these firs all the year 

 through, breeding therein in the summer ; after patiently waiting a short 

 time, I espied an individual or two, peering cautiously through the branches, 

 and doubtless perceiving no enem.y near, recommenced their pursuits, from 

 which no doubt my first appearance there had disturbed them, they were 

 soon joined by others, and in a short time the trees seemed qu.ite alive with 

 their graceful movements and pleasant harmony. To see them turning and 

 winding their little bodies about the branches, now above, and then under- 

 neath, and in a great variety of other w^ays is indeed quite amusmg. Pre- 

 sently an individual may be observed perched behind one of the dead-apples 

 (as they are commonly called here) and thrusting its tiny beak amongst the 

 crevices in search of its food, which consists chiefly of various seeds and 

 minute insects, every now and then he will pause in his work, to 

 glance cautiously around with his beautiful bright little eye, and, if satisfied 

 with his search, will resume his occupation with greater ardour and zeal than 

 ever. Should you chance to disturb them, they will quickly disappear 

 amongst the foliage of the tree, or sometimes flutter to another a short dis- 

 tance ofi". I also observed the Cole Tit, Par us ater, and the Long-tailed 

 Tit, Parus caiidatus, in their company ; all seemed to agree admirably well^ 

 mingling their sweet little voices. Sometimes in fluttering from branch to 



