97 

 A SPRING RAMBLE. 



BY T. SOUTHWELL, ESQ. 



Many ai-e the delightful spots and quiet retreats to be met with, 

 easy walk of most of our large towns; and yet how frequently are they 

 known only to those few of their inhabitants who have made Nature their 

 study, and love to hold communion with her, in her own wild domain. To 

 many of these spots we have been introduced through the interesting pages 

 of The Naturalist, by those who know how to value them, and can appre- 

 ciate their beauties. The pleasure I have experienced in reading these 

 papers has induced me to endeavour to describe one of my favourite rambles 

 in the neighbourhood of Lynn, which I hope may not be altogether without 

 interest. 



On the morning of the 9th of April I started in company with a friend, 

 my ultimate destination being the village of North Wootton, about four 

 miles from Lynn. The route we had planned was, to proceed to ^awsey by 

 the high road, and then make a dii-ect cut across the country to N. Wootton, 

 passing through Roydon feu on our way. Lynn, Bawsey, and N. Wootton 

 form the three points of a triangle, each about equi-distant from the other. 



The morning was most delightful, and, chatting gaUy along the road, we 

 soon arrived at a part of the heath called " Bawsey bottom ; " here we left 

 the turnpike, and entered a rough and wet patch of ground, studded with 

 Alder bushes, and overgrown with coarse grasses and moss. In this spot, 

 some years ago, my companion discovered the beautiful Fern, Lastrea 

 cristata, growing in abundance ; and, notwithstanding our numerous visits, 

 it still flourishes, mixed with L. uliginosa, in undiminished quantities. 

 Whilst Avalking through this " Alder Car," we were delighted with the first 

 song of the Willow Wren we had heard this year. After crossing the turn- 

 pike again, we entered a part of the Car where the trees were of older 

 growth, closer, more regularly planted, and interspersed with Birch. This, 

 again, was a noted place to my fortunate companion, for here he had found 

 the nest of the Woodcock ; the young birds had left it, it is true, but the 

 egg-shells remained near their leafy nest, and were immediatel}' recognised 

 by my friend, who has had no little experience in the eggs of British birds. 

 Since that time we have not forgotten'to keep a good watch ; and although 

 Ave have seen the Woodcock in the neighbourhood late in the season, no 

 other nest has been found. 



On emerging from the Alder Car, and entering upon the open heath, a 

 Kestril hunting for its morning repast came in sight. A Kesti-il, although 

 common in this neighbourhood, is never an object of indiiference to me. I 

 love to watch it suspended in the air, apparently without effort; then, a 

 tremulous and rapid motion of the Avings is seen, and it flies off, satisfied 



VOL. V. i 



