BIRD'S RESPONSE TO STORM.
The grim excesses of weather under which we have suffered have influenced the local movements of birds more than the general migration ; or so it seems to me. The swallows and martins still remain in fair numbers, and last week I saw a corncrake-one of the worst fliers among the migrants— resting in a field of tares. The turtle-doves are still many. But on the eve of the worst storm, when the glass descended precipitately from a medium height to 28.5, a big flock of duck and a day later a group of swan flew due north over my garden. I had never before seen either grouped in such numbers or flying to such a point in the compass. The gulls fled far inland ; and partridge coveys amalgamated into packs. But how little our home birds heed any weather. The robins have been singing all day. The lawn is lively with thrushes, as tame almost as hens, and in the paddock we rejoice to see not one but many goldfinches showing their gold and red amid the purple heads of knapweed. What do autumn gales matter in an English garden ?
W. BEACH Tuolais.
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