160 WOODLAND, MOOR, AND STREAM 



one nail through his head and one through each of 

 his wings. ' I reckon he'll bide where I've put him, 

 mister,' he said, as I looked at him. 



The marsh harrier, or duck-hawk of the marshmen, 

 is to be found in the marshes. Other birds of prey 

 are to be seen there, but the duck-hawk is conspicuous 

 above the rest by his size and flight. Visit the grey- 

 green flats when the sun is glimmering through the 

 mist, his form will be seen gliding here, there, and 

 everywhere. Woe betide duck, coot, moorhen, or 

 young hare that comes in his clutch, for he is hunt- 

 ing for his breakfast. At mid-day you will find him 

 high up in the clear blue sky which is flecked here 

 and there with light fleecy clouds. 



Large cattle and sheep, peculiar at one time tc 

 the marshlands, are dotted all over the great level 

 flats. In the distance can be seen the sails of vessels 

 which seem in places to be sailing right over the 

 marsh. Reed-stacks are scattered about, looking 

 like hay-stacks when seen from far. The dome- 

 shaped objects near at hand are the halves of fish- 

 ing-smacks ; some are too old for use, others have 

 been confiscated for smuggling, sawn asunder, and 

 sold. These are used by the watchers of the marshes 

 as temporary abiding places when the cattle require 

 watching in case the floods are expected, or when 



