and its Neishhourhood, 1 9 



"to 



a solitary pile or naked branch, patiently watching [IV. 

 450.] for its finny prey, while its glossy and radiant 

 plumage is strongly contrasted with the sober dress of the 

 skulking moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) which is flirting up 

 its tail amongst the sedges hard by. We now and then see 

 the kestrel (Falco 2mnunculus), the sparrowhawk (^uteo 

 ^isus), and the hobby* (Falco Subbuteo); and our ears are 

 often assailed, in the stillness of the night, by the clear and 

 plaintive hooting of the brown owl (^Strix stridula), and the 

 hoarse scream of its congener, the white owl (»Strix flammea). 

 The nuthatch (.Sitta europae^a) utters its shrill and frequent 

 cry, " wit, wit, wit," in our groves ; while the notes of the jay, 

 the cuckoo, the turtle dove, and the mingled melody of a 

 host of summer visiters, " aid the full concert," and form 

 together a chorus which, combined with the usual scenery 

 around, must move to ecstasy every heart that is capable of 

 any degree of sensibility, and which ought to engage the 

 breast in the adoration of Him who has given us all these 

 things richly to enjoy. 



Our streams afford a considerable variety of fish, but to 

 these I have paid little attention; for, even in this sequestered 

 spot, " far from the noise, the hum, the shock of men," the 

 cares of life will intrude, to the exclusion of those pursuits of 

 nature which console in adversity, and render prosperity 

 doubly delightful. 



I have sometimes been much gratified in observing that 

 elegant little animal, the water shrew (^Sorex f()diens), diving 

 and sporting under a little waterfall in one of our groves : it 

 is one of the prettiest of our few quadrupeds, and is an animal 

 which appears to have attracted but little notice. 



We have all that can be desired in a country village, and 

 whether our lovely scenes be visited in the glorious spring, 

 when morning puts forth its melody from grove and park and 

 verdant field, or in the silent and mellow autumn, when the 

 cool air breathes vigour and health to the frame, and the 

 brilliant dews bespangle the mossy turf, now strewed with 

 many a yellow leaf, they cannot fail to delight and exalt the 

 soul of every rational lover of the beauties of nature. 



Lexderiy near Colchester^ \0 mo, {October'\ ^% 1833. 



♦ A beautiful specimen of this bird was shot here last year by my much 

 valued friend, Henry Doubleday of Epping, who, by his unwearied assi- 

 duity and acute observation, has done much to promote a knowledge of the 

 ornithology of our island. [See, in VI. 321., a notice of Mr, Doubleday's 

 discovering " several nests with eggs " of the hawfinch in Epping Forest.] 



c 2 



