THE GREGARIOUS BIRDS
Once the breeding season is over, one becomes increasingly conscious of the gather- ing of birds. The linnets and finches move in parties. The rooks cross the heavens in wavering and deviating bodies in eternal con- versations with a sprinkling of jackdaws among them. Even the carrion crows are en faioille. Very few birds remain quite alone, although some predators must spread themselves thinly even in summer when food is most plentiful. As sure as the thistle seeds drift, the gold- finches are about. One hears their musical tinkling as they settle or take off, as gay as butterflies, and this pattern of bird behaviour continues with migration, the amalgamation of partridge coveys, the arrival of ducks and geese and wintering pigeons, so that in the cold days of winter one can look out and see companies of redwings, fieldfares and other visitors who feed and roost and face the hazards together through the greater part of the year. One can
see that the pattern is no accident and it has similarities to our own existence.
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