Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/207

Rh Flycatchers, though with less graceful movements. Often, too, whilst flying—fairly high—from one part of the plateau to another, they would deflect their course in order to catch an insect or two en passant. I observed this latter action first, and doubted the motive, though it was strongly suggested. After seeing the quite unmistakable Flycatcher actions, I felt more assured as to the other.

The very great diminution in the waving of the wings to-day as compared to yesterday, whilst engaged in the same pursuit, I do not know how to account for. It may perhaps suggest that this is more due to excitement connected with each other's presence (social) than to any other cause. If so, the birds were not so socially excited to-day as yesterday, and this may possibly be due to the fact that their numbers were not nearly so great—hardly, I should think, amounting to half. Though I was not able to make out with the glasses any insect actually the object of pursuit, I did see two small moths flying low over the grass—just as required to explain the birds' actions. I believe, however, that the staple of their food was minute flies or gnats.

As it grew towards twilight—after the Starlings had gone—large quantities of Swallows and Martins took possession of the air round about. Whether they had come wholly or chiefly or partly for the insects I do not know.

I frightened several birds this time, and as the twilight closed in not many were left. Lying just within the edge of the bracken birds in ones or twos would often walk past me within twelve paces (as I judged), presenting of course a splendid view. A sudden bob forward of the head in a very swingy manner, the tail at the same time swinging up (very suggestive of a wooden bird that performs the same actions upon one's pulling a string) is a characteristic action, and seems to have no special reference to anything—unless deportment.

Left about 7.15.

September 8th.—Arrived somewhere between 5.30 and 6 p.m. Though as cautious as I could be, and keeping well behind the bracken (always lying flat), yet several birds took alarm and flew off, though not to any great distance. Including these I counted forty-one standing scattered about the amphitheatre. They were all of them particularly dull and listless, hardly moving from