29 OCTOBER 1948, Page 17

Autumnal Flocks Battalions or divisions or even armies are perhaps

of less concern! to the specialists than single spies ; and the distinction of this Devon report is the number of different species observed. They include, for, example, ten different species of hawk, nine of geese, fifteen of duck and six of owls. A selection of the rarities includes spoonbill, avocet, golden oriole, hoopoe, quail (which nested successfully), spotted crake, a very rare skua (rendered helpless by oil), ruff, bittern, and so on. Not only is the number of observers steadily growing ; their expert skill is increasing and the hon. secretary (E. H. Ware, High Beech, Woodbury, Exeter); receives much meticulous evidence of the accuracy of the observation4 Bird-watching, indeed, becomes a general amusement.