The Gull Pond 33 



by the mallard (long strings of whose flappers may 

 still be seen swimming among the reeds), and the wild 

 duck was a temptation to the gunner, and the gunner 

 scared away the gull. A strict embargo must be laid 

 alike on guest and gamekeeper if the visitors from the 

 sea are not to have their feelings hurt. 



In consequence of this the gull pond is a refuge 

 and gathering-place for many kinds of water-birds, 

 and the gull suffers somewhat among them on account 

 of the bold, frank, fearless ways he has learned in the 

 course of his seafaring life. The duck and the water- 

 hen and the bald-pated coot, which are here in im- 

 mense- numbers, take some trouble to conceal their' 

 nests, even if they do not go so far as to cover their 

 eggs with weed like the cunning little dabchick, or 

 dull the brightness of them every time they go out ; 

 but the gull twists sedge and grass and reed into a 

 nest conspicuous among the scores of others round 

 it on the bare earth, lays her eggs therein, and then 

 composedly and in view of all men sets about hatch- 

 ing them. More than that, although being strange 

 to trees she seldom perches on them, let her but fancy 

 the grass of the park and she goes and sits there, not 

 watchful and wary, and ready to run like a water-rail, 

 or fly away like a duck at the first alarm, but with 

 a noble composure ; though, if you walk along the 

 further shore of the pond, and along the edge of the 

 wood and so to the gorse, you will find many a heap 

 of bones and white feathers to tell of the vixen's 



D 



