184 THE HAUNT OF THE COOT 



secure and aquatic life supplies abundance of food. 

 The new broods join in the southern migration when 

 the first chills of night give a reminder of incessant 

 change* Some morning a quiet marsh will be trans- 

 formed into a scene of animation by the arrivals of 

 the previous night. Close to the ready shelter of the 

 Rushes, they swim contentedly about, darting their 

 short, sharp bills here and there among the floating 

 weeds and gathering the clinging snails and other 

 forms of aquatic life* Familiarity is resented by a 

 dignified and almost leisurely retirement into the 

 safe shelter. After a few days of loitering and re- 

 cuperation an evening of activity is followed by a 

 morning of silence. The deserted marsh seems 

 expressive in loneliness. It tells of a long journey 

 in the impenetrable darkness of the night sky, where 

 the secret way that baffled the prophet of old still 

 eludes man's insatiable curiosity. 



