NATURE IN JANUARY. 5 



host of Wild Fowl, who apparently enjoyed basking on the 

 ice in the glorious sunlight. I do not remember seeing the 

 sooty Moorhens show off their black robes to such perfection 

 as they lazily squatted on the snow-covered banks. The proud, 

 haughty Swans, too, were well cared for, as a portion of the 

 ice was broken to enable them to perform their graceful natatory 

 feats and feeding exploits. 



High up in the air above me were six Wild Ducks, conspi- 

 cuous by their outstretched necks. After flying round and round 

 several times, they at last alighted on the island at the far end 

 of the big lake, which affords them such excellent cover and 

 concealment. 



Just as I arrived at the head keeper's lodge the Deer were 

 being fed, and what a sight it was 1 I counted a great many 

 of them, but I leave the total number to my own judgment, 

 and I do not think I am far amiss when I say they were a 

 thousand strong. 



There they were, all slowly wending their way round in a 

 circular direction after the fallen hay as it was tossed out of a 

 cart. What graceful animals are these, and how harmless they 

 appear to be ; even the clamorous Rooks do not mind how close 

 they go to them, so long as they get their fill. 



I had to content myself with this sight so far as the animals 

 in the park were concerned, as a blinding snowstorm came 

 on at this moment, and I was glad to turn my back to the 

 storm and take the shelter offered me by a most entertaining 

 hostess. 



On my way back through the park, I was pleasingly surprised 

 to come across twenty or thirty Red-Legged Partridges. There, 

 under the shelter of the Evergreens they crouched down, with 

 their heads snugly resting in their exquisite plumage. And how 

 tame they were! Down the well-kept road through the park 

 I saw several Peacocks and Peahens, strutting gaily along in 

 the manner peculiar to the variety, whilst hard by the rectory, 

 where the rector poses his theology and prepares sermons for 

 his flock, I observed three or four Jackdaws on the fruit trees 

 in the roomy garden. 



After a good hot cup of tea, which puts new life and vigour 

 into us, and after loading up with the fragrant weed, we again 



