CHAPTER XI 



BIRDS AND GARDENS 



WHILE the trees are bare, and before the 

 hedges and shrubs begin to shoot, our bird 

 neighbours, both friends and foes, are much 

 in evidence. And as I love my birds almost 

 as much as my garden, I am always anxious 

 to put in a word for them at this moment, 

 when they are choosing their homes for the 

 season. Indeed, if I was not willing to think 

 about them, my special " wise thrush " is 

 raising his voice in such decided and insistent 

 tones in the Black Poplar just outside the 

 window, that it is impossible not to pay 

 attention to what he says. No human being 

 having lived upon this little bit of land 

 until I built my house here eight years ago, 

 the birds have always looked upon it as 

 sanctuary. And as since my occupation they 



203 



