Hello! New computer. Vroom!!

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Geoff,

 

Sorry this is hardly altogether relevant but it might be amusing I suppose. I think the question related to "Stoop" rather than "Swoop"............ "Stoop" being the word applied to an attack by - especially a Peregrine Falcon and its characteristic dive. So I'd say John was using a pun, but I reckon it is just as valid.

 

Philip Veerman

24 Castley Circuit

Kambah  ACT  2902

 

02 - 62314041

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Sunday, 8 November 2009 2:13 PM
To: 'Canberra Birds'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Hello! New computer. Vroom!!

Shakespeare, Macbeth:

 

MACDUFF, on hearing that his family has been murdered:

 

“All my pretty ones?

Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?

What, all my pretty chickens and their dam

At one fell swoop?”

 

SERVANT:

 

“Yes, milord.  Vrooom!!”

 

From: John Layton [
Sent: Sunday, 8 November 2009 1:23 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Hello! New computer. Vroom!!

 

Thirteen years ago I bought a computer. Last week it gave up the ghost, must have been  a lemon. So today I  have my new machine up, running and loaded for bear with spanky new Windows 7. Vrooom!!!

 

This is my first email, so bear with boy with new toy. Late yesterday afternoon went for a drive along Parkwood Road, Holt, which may appear a nondescript semi-rural  thoroughfare but has revealed some interesting birds lately, eg Brown Songlark & Horsfield’s Bushlark last week. Yesterday was surprised to  see five Wood Ducks huddled around a few remaining rainwater puddles right at the edge of the bitumen. Couple of Masked Lapwings nearby and a number of Australasian Pipits here and there along the roadside fence. Saw a Nankeen Kestrel  hovering, suddenly it descended in one fell stoop (is “fell stoop” correct and, in this instance, appropriate? It’s an _expression_ I’m never sure about.)The kestrel was  only down for a few seconds in long grass before flying off rapidly as if heading to a favoured feeding perch but couldn’t see if it carried anything.

 

John Layton.