FOREST TITHES 
being plentifully sprinkled with large open dead shells 
of the fresh-water mussels. So well did the heron's 
plumage agree with its environment that, until it 
moved right before me, I had not seen it. Until then 
it had only shown a bit of white, like the glitter of the 
inside portions of the mussel shells that lay gaping on 
the mud beneath it. 
Owls, also, in their plumage mimic and fall in with 
the tones of their natural surroundings, to a degree 
past the belief of those who have not patiently watched 
them in their own haunts. 
And often the most patient and constant watching 
is unattended with success. Early and late had I 
been abroad of late, and had come home quite dis- 
heartened with failure, and then I succeeded in my 
quest owing to my coming unexpectedly on a large, 
partially drained moorland fish-pond, whilst in search 
of an artist friend of mine who, as I had been told,, 
was painting in that direction. After stumbling on 
bits that were enough to drive a would-be artist wild, 
through my field-glass I discovered him settled right 
out in the most treacherous part of the moor. Not 
without much cautious travelling did I reach him. 
Whatever possessed him to go and paint in one of the 
worst moor swamps of the district ? I asked. ' To- 
get a faithful study of the moor mosses, sulphur 
