A MOORLAND SANCTUARY 131 



of preparation for domestic life. How droll were 

 the male bird's antics as, beside the pool in the 

 gorge, or in some spot among the reedy tangles 

 of the marsh, he displayed his charms before 

 the eyes of his admiring companion ! He paced 

 to and fro so proudly that he seemed to tread on 

 air ; he swayed and strutted with the rhythmic 

 motion of a dance ; running a little way towards 

 the object of his affections he spread his v/ings 

 and ruffled the long, loose feathers of his breast; 

 then, turning, he stood still in such a position 

 that the lines of beautiful colouring, not seen 

 before, were clearly displayed to her. Finally, 

 taking to flight, he hovered immediately above 

 her, so that, if all else failed, he might impress 

 her with a show of strength and grace and 

 perfect form. 



Spring, on the bleak moor far from the sea, 

 seemed reluctant to make ready for summer. 

 On the hills, at that time of the year, the wind 

 never slept even while, in the neighbouring 

 valleys, an utter calm prevailed. March was 

 bitter and tempestuous ; the beginning of April 

 was wet and almost as tempestuous as March. 

 But there were occasional days when, though the 

 wind blew chill and strong, the sun gave life 

 and beauty to the w^ilderness. On the sheltered 

 slopes of the gorge the heather unfolded its 

 delicate green leaf-buds, and the furze its golden 



