Bird Life in Dutch Marshes 229 



one of thcni, 1 am indeed l)ouiid by promise as well as 

 by iiK'Iinatioii not to reveal the place to any one. or in any 

 way to endant^er the retreat of these tine birds. 



A few years ago a colony of them used to frequent 

 another marsh in th.e neighbourhood, which was subsequently 

 drained, and is now cultivated land. They then betook 

 themselves to their present resort, and in a few years this 

 was also drained. Fortunately, however, the expense of 

 pumping exceeded the value of the reco\'ered land, which 

 was indeed almost worthless, and after several thousand 

 pounds had been spent the place was allowed to revert 

 into its original state, and the Spoonbills and other feathered 

 inhabitants returned to find shelter and safety once more in 

 the reed-beds of this most interesting " meer." 



It is indeed a most charming place for an ornithologist — 

 full of lasting interest and delight, where he can revel in 

 the sight of many banished birds nesting in large numbers 

 undisturbed and immolested. Three ^'isits made to this spot 

 have each been more enjoyable than the one before, and I 

 hope to be able to revisit at some future day the scenes 

 of so much pleasure. 



The birds are not by any means the only inhabitants of 

 this place. It is full of fish. Inuiiense pike, great, fat, 

 slimy tench, red-finned roach, and eels abound in its deep 

 waters, and constitute a source of profit to the lessee, who 

 employs a fisherman to protect his rights, and to net and 

 bring to market his captures. 



The fish are caught mostly in drum-nets placed in 



