THE PROCESSION OF SPRING 233 



direction in apparent enjoyment. After a day or two 

 the charm of music fails, for the frogs are busied in 

 spawning. 



When once the tadpoles are free they are beset with 

 many foes. So that of all the myriad tadpoles hatched 

 only a small number endure that change which is not 

 the less wonderful because so familiar — the change 

 from a vegetarian tadpole with gills and tail, to a tail- 

 less, air-breathing, insect-eating frog. 



The sallow is the only bush now growing by the 

 pool. Last year the underwood was cut, as it is cut 

 every seventh year. No sooner is the sunlight so let 

 in upon the pond than there comes up a thick growth 

 of some aquatic mossy plant, clinging to stub and 

 bottom. The dabchicks are very fond of the weed. 

 They feed upon it and build their nests with it. 

 These birds return with such regularity to these their 

 haunts, that " have the dabchicks come ? " becomes a 

 standing question in the spring. The dabchicks may 

 be there for days before you notice them. Very shy 

 are they when first they come. So beware how you 

 approach the pond. At the first glimpse of water, 

 pause and glance carefully ahead, and you may chance 

 to see the dabchick appear as if by magic, on the sur- 

 face of the pool. No diver ever dived for pearls so 



