Delightfiil Footpaths, 171 



according to Thoreau and many other observers, is 

 developed in the young ones from the moment of 

 their emergence trom the egg, and so wily are they 



EGGS OF THE NIGHTJAR. 



that, as the brightness of the e} r es alone would betray 

 them, they close the eyes and look through the very 

 narrowest slit when any strange animal or person 

 comes near. 



What a delight it was, too, to turn out into the 

 loftier parts of the hill, over large spaces of which 

 grew the whortleberries, locally called "hurts," and lie 

 and enjoy their delicious tonic flavour, and think of 

 Thoreau's celebrations of the wines that lie stored up 

 in the wild fruits by the wayside ! And, after having 

 enjoyed this, to go on again dipping down into the 

 valley by the most delightful footpaths all round you 

 seas of fern and heath on to Tillingbourne, to watch 

 the fall, slipping down, white and foaming at foot, or 

 to wander refreshed by the stream-side, or to journey 

 by the almost Swiss-like Friday Street, with its lake 

 lying still below you as you suddenly emerge into view 

 of it from the wood, and so on and on by sweet paths 

 to Abinger, there to range over the wide furzy common 

 truly a common and see the pretty quaint old 

 church restored some years ago and the picturesque 



