CHAPTER X 



BIRDS OF THE SALT MARSHES 



" Th' Eele-murthering Hearne, and greedy Cormorant, 

 That neare the Creekes in morish Marshes haunt, 

 The bellowing Bitterne, with the long-leg'd Crane, 

 Presaging Winters hard, and dearth of graine. 

 The Silver Swan that tunes her mournefull breath. 

 To sing the dirge of her approaching death. 

 The tatling Oldwines, and the cackling Geese, 

 The fearefull Gull thet shunnes the murthering Peece. 

 The strong wing'd Mallard with the nimble Teale, 

 And ill-shape't Loone who his harsh notes doth squeale. 

 There Widgins, Sheldrackes and Humilitees, 

 Snites, Doppers, Sea-Larkes, in whole millions flees." 



— Wood. 



** f I iH' Eele-murthering Hearne," or, as 

 I Chaucer has it, ^' the ele's foo, the 

 heroune,'' is perhaps the most char- 

 acteristic, certainly the most spectacular bird 

 of the salt marshes. There are several differ- 

 ent kinds of these hearnes or herons. The 

 smallest, the little green heron, prefers fresh 

 water, yet it is common enough in the 



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