i8o 



Bird- Lore 



and one is frequently obliged to hire a man to carry things. If two women 

 can hunt in couples, one of whom should not be a photographer, then diffi- 

 culties are lessened. But, though there are drawbacks to this pursuit where 

 women are concerned, there are compensations. The age of chivalry is far 

 from past, and women will often gain admittance to protected areas from 



OYSTER-CATCHER COURTING 



"She led her admirer a long walk" 



which men are excluded, because every man is a possible collector. I had to 

 interview a shaggy-browed Gaelic legal light on one occasion, in order to get 

 information, and permission for myself and my two companions to photo- 

 graph in a rigorously protected area. I trembled before this stern dignitary, 

 who knew everything that was worth knowing about the district. Moreover, 

 I had, in sheer ignorance of Scotch legal terms, grossly insulted him. How- 

 ever, he treated the misunderstanding as a huge joke, asked for pen and 

 paper, and wrote out permits and gave away localities with a liberal hand. 

 Then, drawing himself up to his full height, he said: "You're three women; 

 had you been men, you wouldn't have got a thing out of me; if you want any 

 more help, let me know." 



The greater part of my work has been done on the Norfolk Broads, amongst 



