viu RIVERSIDE LETTERS 63 



There is a County Agricultural Show about 

 to be held in the meadow opposite our house, 

 on the other side of the river ; the whole field 

 has been enclosed with hoarding and filled 

 with tents and sheds, &c., which to-day look 

 gay with flags. It is to be opened to-morrow. 

 There are some small elm trees enclosed 

 within this hoarding, in which usually sundry 

 woodpigeons build ; the birds I expect have 

 been scared away by the preparations for the 

 show, which have been going on ever since 

 the beginning of April, and have come over 

 to my garden, where they, I believe, have built 

 some nests. I do not know exactly where 

 their nests are situated, but one or two of 

 these large birds are always about the walnut 

 tree and in the shrubbery near my studio. 

 They remind me of the members of 

 the Senior United Service Club when they 

 are driven over by the annual cleaning to 

 take refuge in the peaceful halls of the 

 Athenaeum. I recognise these birds as fierce 

 and distinguished strangers immediately, 



