THE Northamptonshire nature poet John Clare (1793-1864) offers a vivid snapshot of each different species of bird he mentions in this sonnet, from the memorable first line on.

AUTUMN BIRDS

The wild duck startles like a sudden thought,

And heron slow as if it might be caught;

The flopping crows on weary wing go by,

And greybeard jackdaws, noising as they fly;

The crowds of starnels whizz and hurry by

And darken like a cloud the evening sky;

The larks like thunder rise and suther round,

Then drop and nestle in the stubble ground;

The wild swan hurries high and noises loud,

With white necks peering to the evening cloud.

The weary rooks to distant woods are gone;

With length of tail the magpie winnows on

To neighbouring tree, and leaves the distant crow,

While small birds nestle in the hedge below.