REED-WARBLER. 119 



bright sky. How the rich green of the rushy marshes, 

 and the luxuriant growth of sedge by the water's side 

 relieve the eye after the heat and glare of the day. The 

 whole landscape, flat though it may be, is yet prettily 

 broken by small groups of cattle in every attitude of 

 repose ; with here a marsh mill, picturesque in its rough- 

 ness, or there the tall mast and sail of a wherry alone 

 visible across the next reach of the winding river. 

 Nor does the ear fail to share in the pleasures of the 

 scene ; innumerable sand-martins fill the air with their 

 hurried twitterings, as they chase each other over the 

 water in endless evolutions. Every covert seems alive 

 with the merry notes of the sedge bird, now mocking 

 the sand-martins in their passing flight, now pouring 

 forth its own babbling notes, till one's head seems 

 filled with its incessant song*. Close by from the bushes 

 on the drier marshes titlarks are rising and falling on 

 quivering wings, and though lost almost to sight, far 

 above all, the skylark's song still mingles with the 

 rest, as 



" Higher still and higher the deep blue he wingeth, 

 And singing still doth soar, and soaring ever singeth." 



Such is indeed a fitting evening to prelude a nocturnal 

 trip, and as, wrapt in the enjoyment of these rural 

 sounds, one glides gently down the stream towards the 

 entrance of the broad; the soft breeze rustles amongst 

 the feathery reed tops and the light foliage of the 

 willows by the river side, the wide expanse of water 

 glows with the reflection of the setting sun, whilst the 

 rippling waves upon its surface dance and sparkle on 

 their way, as though hastening onward to those quiet 

 shades, where twilight stealing over the landscape speaks 

 of sleep and rest for the weary. 



