GUNN NORFOLK RAMBLE. 



193 



branch of the tree under which I stood, individuals would pass within 

 a foot or two of my face. Seeing a fine example of Parus afer, seated on a 

 twig on the next tree, and requiring one for a friend, I took aim with a small 

 walking-stick gun I happened to have with me, and. fired, killing the poor 

 unsuspicious little victim on the spot. The report of my gun which sounded 

 rather loud in the woods, however, did not seem to disturb them very much. 

 Stillness reigned throughout the whole community for perhaps a minute, 

 when they again broke out with their melodious chirping and harmony, and 

 commenced their various pursuits afresh, as if nothing had occurred. Resum- 

 ing my walk, I heard the notes of various songsters of the feathered 

 tribe, including the Chiff Chaff, Sylvia rufa, Willow Warbler, Sylvia trocJii- 

 lus, the Eobin, Sylvia ruhecula, the Blackbird, Turdus merula, the Chaffinch, 

 Fringilla coelebs, and various species of the Parince, mingling in pleasant 

 confusion. Now and then, above the tops of the trees, might be heard the 

 harsh caw caw of the rooks, as they passed on their way to and from the 

 rookery, which is situated on the same estate, about half a mile distant from 

 the wood in which I was. This wood is composed partly of hazel or nut 

 bushes and here that pretty little animal the Squirrel, Sciiirus euroiooeiis, 

 abounds in tolerable plenty. I have often watched thtm running 

 along the ground, which they do with great speed , should the attempt 

 be made to follow it, it is quickly lost to sight : but after a careful 

 close search it may be discovered clinging close to the trunk of a fir tree 

 which they mostly prefer, occasionally nearly at the top, sometimes between 

 the forked branches, where by clinging close they hope to secure themselves 

 from the searching and destroying propensities of their chief enemy, man. I 

 heard the discordant notes of the Jay, Corvus glandarius, at intervals 

 throughout the day. The Creep-tree or Creeper, Certhia familiaris, also 

 amuses one much by its peculiar mode of searching for its food. It will begin 

 its examination of a tree at the very base and wend its way upwards by 

 passing round and round the trunk in the manner of a corkscrew, so 

 to speak, until it reaches the top, making a most careful examination 

 of all the crevices and loose pieces of bark in its course, by thrusting in its 

 slender curved beak, and helping itself to the insects and minute seeds that 

 may be secreted therein. When it is thoroughly satisfied with its search, 

 it will take flight to tlie next tree, and go through the same course of pro- 

 cedure. The note of the Creeper somewhat resembles that of the Gold- 

 crest but is a key louder. The Turtle dove, which also breeds here, appears 

 to be quieter than a montli ago when I happened to visit the same locality. 



