246 BIRD LIFE 



the homely and inconspicuous dress of his mate, blend- 

 ing perfectly with the fading reeds among which he 

 hides. Even the legs and beak change colour. 



The efficacy of elusive tricks and colours is still 

 more surprising in the case of large than of small 

 birds. The Bittern, which, as it stands stiffly with 

 beak pointed upwards, is difficult to see among the 

 reeds which are its usual hiding-place, is a frequently 

 quoted instance, but one, unluckily, not often now to 

 be seen in England though, according to a writer in 

 the Spectator, a pair have lately nested not far from 

 London. 



At Blickling the home of Anne Boleyn, in days 

 before the additions were built, which now make it 

 one of the most stately examples of Jacobean architec- 

 ture in England has been, for a great many years, a 

 flock of Cinnamon Turkeys. 



The birds, which are a small and slender variety of 

 doubtful origin, coloured, as the name denotes, are bred 

 and live in a half- wild state with the Pheasants. 



On the occasion of a shooting-party a few years ago, 

 a cover had been driven. Two or three only of the 

 beaters remained inside the fence, poking about a 

 rather bare corner for a possible skulking Pheasant or 

 Rabbit. The guns were already moving on, when, like 

 the springing of a mine, thirty or forty great birds rose 

 together and scattered themselves, flying strongly, in 

 different directions over the park. 



Two were required for the house; and a keeper, 

 borrowing a gun from the writer, who accompanied 



