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such as the little Dabchick or Lesser Grebe, shy little 

 birds which sometimes ventured out into the middle of 

 the river to give an exhibition of their diving pro- 

 pensities, remaining under the water some time and 

 reappearing in quite unexpected places. 



We then disturbed some Moorhens and Coots 

 which immediately got up and flew across the water, 

 making a hideous noise in doing so, while others, 

 braver than the rest, remained playing about quite 

 indifferent to our presence, and apparently knowing 

 full well that no harm would come to them, and 

 what safety the Thames Conservancy has placed them 

 in by adopting their protective bylaws. In many 

 cases birds almost came into the boat or stood quite 

 still along the bank while we passed close by them. 

 Especially did we notice this with regard to the 

 Wagtails, which darted from the bank over the water 

 to catch flies, hovering about all the while first up 

 in the air, then down to the water, and then from side 

 to side. It is really marvellous to see the ease with 

 which tliese birds catch insects, changing from one 

 position to another with extraordinary alacrity. The 

 Wagtails most commonly seen are the Pied or Water 

 Wagtails and the Yellow Wagtails. 



Passing along by the bank under cover of the 

 willows we saw many Tree Creepers running zigzag 

 up the trunks, against which they press their pointed 

 tail feathers to aid them in their climb. They are 

 easily recognised by their small size, fine curved 

 bill, silvery breast and the white spots on the back. 

 They do not descend the trees, but fly from the top of 

 one to the base of another. We found one of their 

 nests in a hole in an old willow, a most perfectly made 



