Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/267

Rh evergreens. My own observations are confirmatory of their statements. 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 melancholy 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 actually 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 grotesque 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 quivering 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 ascended. 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 delighted in witnessing the manoeuvres 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 proceeding 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.