OF THE MARSH 205 



unless one approaches in the open, or there be many 

 birds together, in which latter case, as Dunlins in 

 flocks always act together, the principle of the 

 weakest link in the chain comes into operation. On 

 the other hand, when he recognises that a march has 

 been stolen on him, he stops short with the surprise 

 and disgust visible in the attitude of a Starling when 

 disturbed at his feasting, and with a hurried " Skree!" 

 gets a-wing with his fellows, and all circle round in 

 rapid flight and compact order. As they go, they 

 cant now to one side, now to the other, shading 

 alternately white or brown as the upper or under 

 parts come into view, an effect resembling the turning 

 of the laths in a Venetian blind. 



One morning, after all the ploughing was over, 

 and the Fiend had gone to his own place, I went 

 down to weigh up the possibilities of the spot for 

 future observation. It had rained heavily for a few 

 days before, but the ground, charged with old 

 moisture, refused to absorb more from above. The 

 plough-ruts were therefore filled with water, and the 

 unploughed flats partly submerged. 



As I walked along a small sloping beach bordering 

 the latter, I was startled by the note of a Ringed 

 Plover unusually near, and to my surprise discovered 

 that one was sitting on the ground only four or five 

 yards in front of me. When I stopped, it stood up, 

 but on one leg. This is a habit with some of the 

 Waders, but not with the Ringed Plover; and my 

 suspicion that one leg had been shot away was 

 confirmed by the fact that some of the feathers of 

 one wing were turned, and by subsequent scrutiny 

 with the glass. I went closer still, and the bird took 



