AN IDLE HOUR WITH THE BIRDS 169 



The country around London, especially in the 

 direction of Harrow, Pinner, Watford, etc., is 

 rich in bird-life, and many of our rarer varieties 

 frequent this district. The Essex marshes are 

 by no means as barren as they may appear 

 to a casual observer, and a walk along the 

 eastern bank of the river below Tilbury Fort, 

 even on a winter's day, should not be un- 

 attended with success, for at times, especially 

 in hard frosty weather, there is, or used to be, 

 no lack of water-birds of various kinds, each 

 creek and ditch producing something worthy of 

 notice. 



But, in my opinion, no spot is so suitable for 

 the study of bird-life as by the edge of some 

 withy-bed, situated on a quiet backwater, for 

 such spots are frequently well stocked with 

 birds. But the would-be observer must keep 

 quiet and well concealed. After a time a moor- 

 hen, or it may be a coot, emerges from the 

 fringe of water-plants which line the river banks, 

 at first peering cautiously around, and then, 

 waxing bolder, with a low chuckle, swims out 

 into mid-stream. A slight rustling sound amongst 

 the rushes, and a water-rail may be seen threading 

 its way, with outstretched bill and crouching body, 

 between the roots and boles of the willow-sets, 

 the bright little eye taking in everything at a 

 glance, and ready to beat a hasty retreat at the 

 least unusual sight or sound. A kingfisher flashes 

 down the very centre of the stream, a lovely 



