044 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



habits and their nests in conscious freedom from 

 any fear of closely observant man. 



To an admirer of Nature, of scenery, and the 

 habits of wild birds, there is no place, — I had 

 nearly sung, ^^ There is no place like home," but 

 what I do sing is, ^' tliere is no place like Crichel," 

 the beautiful residence of Mr. Sturt, wherein can 

 be studied the habits of the rarest and wildest 

 water-fowl from the very midst of their happy 

 congregation. I take the scene as set before me 

 in a still sunny day of the middle of April, and 

 select the locality for observation the green turf 

 of the park on the edge of the clear water of 

 the lake. On the opposite bank is a large wood, 

 the tall trees in which verge upon the water, 

 and in places dip their gracefully drooping boughs 

 as if to kiss the source of that strength that has 

 enabled them so far to out-top even the oaks and 

 elms in the furtlier park. Grown up between the 

 stems of the larger forest trees are the rhodo- 

 dendrons, tlie laurels, birch, and willows, all close 

 to the clear water, but leaving sheltered little 

 spots here and' there for tlie repose or rest of tlie 

 n(iuatic tril)es wlio frequent tills hospitable reghm 

 in summer and winter for food, for rest, and love. 



