A SUMMER'S NIGHT ON THE BROADS. 121 



high over head ; the young of the first broods preparing 

 to roost amongst the reeds, and the old birds to seek 

 their nests in the bank at the back of the Brundall 

 station. Gradually becoming dusk, now the sun is down, 

 but cuckoos still heard in all directions. Two ducks 

 flying round at 9 p.m. Water-hens and coots calling 

 at intervals, and corn-crakes heard in the distance. 

 Martins and starlings all settled by 9.15, saving here 

 and there a benighted straggler hurrying to its roost. 

 11 p.m. A sudden and heavy rain from nine o'clock 

 drove us for shelter to the marsh-man's cottage, where 

 supper and a quiet pipe soon passed away the time. The 

 stars were now shining brightly, and the moon breaking 

 from a bank of clouds ; the air was filled with the hum 

 of insects, and a light breeze rustling the reeds and 

 sedges, as it passed us by, completed one of those 

 deliciously quiet scenes which only a night on the 

 water at this time of year can possibly afford. On 

 every side as we rowed through the little channels 

 dividing the reed beds, the reed warblers were singing 

 all over the broad, and here and there a sedge bird 

 from the marshes joined in the general medley. Just 

 then, almost startling with its depth and fullness, the 

 cuckoo's note, rich and mellow in its tone, fell upon the 

 ear with unmistakable reality ; the bird being evidently 

 close by on some sallow or alder bush in the adjacent 

 marshes, where earlier in the evening we had seen 

 several. 2 a.m. A short nap on the brick floor of a 

 marsh-man's cottage, is refreshing enough to those who 

 can rough it, and as we turn out once more and walk 

 down to the boat, the skylarks are singing from the 

 neighbouring fields, and one in the clouds, though it is 

 too dark to see him. The water looks cold and silvery 

 beneath the star lit sky, and as the dawn keeps breaking 

 and the dark curtain of night is drawn aside, every 

 object becomes each minute more and more distinct, 

 R 



