BIRDS OF THE WAVE AND WOODLAND 211 



and sisters. If it had known what was behind it, and had 

 paddled at its best pace, it would have beaten the rat easily ; 

 but it was in no hurry, and went slowly across towards the 

 bank. Close behind it swam the rat. The little bird was 

 doomed. In my cap I had some dabchick's eggs, and I 

 took one out, and trustinor to luck to miss the bird, threw it 

 at the beast. There was a smart splash in the water, just 

 where I had hoped to see it, close to the rat's nose, and the 

 next instant the chick was swimming for dear life after its 

 mother and the rat was scrambling up the bank. I wonder 

 what each of them thought of that dabchick's egg ? Nothing 

 so "wonderful" as that ever happens to us in our lives. 

 With birds and beasts it happens every day. But they do 

 not go crazy at the constant repetition of miracles, for, 

 fortunately, they do not understand them. 



"Fen sparrows chirp and fly to fetch 

 The withered reed-down rustUng nigh ; 

 And by the sunny side the ditch 

 Prepare their dweUing warm and dry.'' 



Next to moorhens, the most constant companion of the 

 visitor to the sedgy margins of a pond or osier-bed is the reed- 

 warbler. To many eyes the reed- and the sedge-warblers look 

 alike, and to most ears their songs sound alike. Nor in their 

 cominsfs and croines and general behaviour is there much to 

 distinguish them as they creep about in their shady coverts 



