344 AUTUMN AND WINTER 



(peregrine) the day before strike down a ' smee ' (wigeon), 

 while a small gaggle of white-faced Bernacle geese had been 

 using the ' Sounds ' for over a week, ' though there ha'n't bin 

 one kilt as yet, they was so shy,' as if that killing were the 

 final cause of the appearance of the bird. 



The Broadland naturalist, like his kindred elsewhere, 

 should be apt at concealing his person and at holding his 

 tongue, for quietude and inconspicuity are essential to bird- 

 watching. These accomplishments, acquired by constant 

 practice, help us to-day : a parcel of bearded tits, most 

 characteristic of Broadland, restless and ever on the move, 

 keeping close to the limited habitat, flit into view, and com- 

 mence to climb and play the acrobat upon the tall stems of the 

 reed-mace, digging their tweezer-like mandibles sharply into 

 the brown over-ripe velvety tufts, from which downy particles 

 float away on the wind. Unable to find tiny mollusca upon 

 the moister stems below, as in summer days, this bird is 

 happy enough in having at hand a goodly supply of ' pokers ' 

 and the seed of the common reed. The bearded tit is as 

 merry now as ever, and frequently utters its clear, metallic 

 'ping ping,' which can be exactly imitated by balancing 

 a penny on the tip of each forefinger and tapping them 

 smartly together. It is a jolly family party that flits to and 

 fro to-day, regardless of unpleasant weather, and will be 

 merry still when the snowflakes dance in the chill air, and 

 the ravenous pike unhappily dart hither and thither under the 

 clear ice. 



Emboldened by quietude, a moorhen or two scuttle along, 

 lightly supported by their long clinging toes, on the matted 

 debris at the base of the reeds, seeking food ; and several 

 coots paddle about, diving at intervals and coming up again 

 with a juicy bit of plant root, which, after a preliminary shake 

 of the head, is bolted. Peering from between a tuft of rush 



