"We all notice the first swallow almost as soon as the first cuckoo; for though the one bird's note catches the ear, the flight of the other arrests the eye as certainly. And what a flight it is! Has it ever been computed how many hundred miles it flies every day? For hours they are on the wing, flying at the rate of a mile a minute, and always with exquisite grace…" 'Birds of the wave and woodland' is a nature themed novel dedicated to the birds of Britain, both the indigenous ones and those that fly in from elsewhere during the seasons of the year. The book examines the unique features of several of the well-known species, giving an insightful look at them in a lighthearted manner.