CHAPTER Vv 
AN OFF DAY—END OF APRIL 
It is very remarkable to notice the effect 
that a few days of cold weather, following 
upon mild, will have on the nesting of birds. 
Last week all nature had taken a new lease 
of life. Herbage was advancing by leaps and 
bounds and many wild birds were in evidence, 
and could be heard too. But to-day, as we 
set out on another jaunt, the wind blew 
from the north-east, and had been in that 
quarter for forty-eight hours. There was a 
bite in it, although the sun was fairly bright, 
once more emphasizing the old English 
saying, ‘ cast not the clout till May is out.’ 
Landing on Moorhen Island, we at once 
noticed the absence of bird life. Several 
tufted ducks were swimming about. The 
mallards had already made ‘their nests. We 
90 
