A bird flutters round the topmost boughs of the elm yonder and disappears with a flash of blue-it is a jay.
"Hodge and His Masters"
Richard Jefferies
When surprised she acts like other game birds,-flutters along with a great splashing, trailing one wing as if wounded, till she has led you away from the young, or occupied your attention long enough for them to be safely hidden; then she takes wing and leaves you.
"Ways of Wood Folk"
William J. Long
Then, like a flash, the little ones run in under shelter of the banks, and glide up stream noiselessly, while mother bird flutters on down the river just ahead of the canoe.
"Ways of Wood Folk"
William J. Long