FOREST TITHES 
murderous intentions of the bigger fish, for some of 
the pike rushed on to the mud and perished there, 
being unable to get out of the ooze. This accident 
had brought the herons to the spot in force. The 
immediate reason of their hoarse cries and their 
circling flights at the time I came up was soon ex- 
plained. Two men were repairing the broken sluice- 
gate at the further end of the pond, and although the 
birds might have settled and fed to their hearts' con- 
tent, they would not do it whilst the workmen were 
there. 
The sluice-pond job is finished, but the pond is 
still very low : it will take a long time to fill up the 
large space again, even though it is supplied by a 
trout stream. So the herons more have come since 
the first ones prospected and returned a favourable 
report in their own bird fashion have it all their 
own way there. They range the edges of the shallow 
pools as well as the main current in the centre, and 
when satisfied to the full, they rest in the trees near, 
where, I am happy to say, they have not been fired 
at. A few gentlemen who rent these moorland 
districts for the rough shooting they can get in them, 
have given instructions that the herons shall be left 
undisturbed a very wise precaution, for the diet of 
these birds is a varied one, and some of the creatures 
