OF THE MARSH 185 



he tries a new thing to see if it will answer an old 

 purpose better. And so one comes out, looks right 

 and left, and runs off along by the water ; then 

 another, until, thus assured, still others emerge. 

 One swims across the ditch, but hugs the grass-roots 

 as he follows the open path. 



We lose sight of the exploring rat for a time, for 

 above the opened ditch-end, a more than partial 

 critic of the new order of things appears. The 

 Kestrel knows every inch of this marshland as well 

 as I do. She probably knows me as well as I know 

 her, for we are generally within hailing distance of 

 one another during the spring and autumn months. 

 She used to retire in spring, probably to the coast 

 rocks, to breed ; but this summer she remained on 

 the spot, possibly using one of the many old 

 nests of the magpies. For this is fine mousing 

 ground, not to speak of rats. I know almost with 

 certainty that this bird has been in the habit of 

 frequenting this spot year by year ; for it has fixed 

 haunts and regular perching places where it stands 

 to watch, and whither it carries its catch to eat it. 

 Like all new-comers it had to pay its footing, and will 

 probably have to go on paying it as long as it 

 remains. For, the river and watery marshland attract 

 large numbers of hirundines, and many Starlings 

 frequent the exposed mud patches. Of the former, 

 the Sand-martins are the most numerous, and the 

 most persistent in their attacks upon the Hawk. I 

 do not know the ground of the Sand-martins' 

 antagonism ; for, if the Kestrel were disposed to 

 strike, it would certainly fail with so swift and erratic 

 a flier as the Sand-martin. Further, the nest of the 



