Page:Bird Life Throughout the Year (Salter, 1913).djvu/347

Rh the fronds of the sea-wrack stirred by the incoming ripples, is a smaller bird which proves to be a Purple Sandpiper; Far less shy than most of its kind, we may watch it, usually solitary, in its search for small molluscs and crustaceans upon the weed-grown ledges and upon the margins of the pools. With shrill note a Rock Pipit rises, acting as sentinel to the larger fowl. So the short day closes; the purple hues of sunset,—the last of the year—die away on sand-flats and shallows, and we turn homeward, thinking of all the wealth of enjoyment which the study of nature has afforded us through the twelve months which are ended and anticipating a renewal of the outdoor life with all its pleasures in the year which is to come.

Dec.5th.—Mistle Thrushes begin to sing more freely. 9th.—Meadow Pipits still flocking. 16th.—Tree Creeper still sings. 21st.—Common or Corn Bunting sings. 23rd.—Stock Dove coos. 25th.—Dipper or Water Ouzel sings. Lesser Redpolls at the alder-cones. 27th.—Remains of Partridge coveys pack. 28th.—Pied Woodpecker working at a fresh boring. 29th.—Fieldfares resort to turnips in frost. 30th.—Redwings at holly berries.