1 82 IN BIRD-LAND 



were quickly out of sight, soon leaving the Herons, 

 as they more slowly flapped along, far behind ; 

 Coots and Moor-hens rose on all sides, calling 

 loudly and flying to a place of hiding. For a few 

 seconds there was an indescribable confusion of 

 bird-cries, the meaning of which we seemed to 

 understand ; then all was quiet, and any one coming 

 on the scene when the commotion had subsided, 

 would not have thought that a few seconds before 

 the surface of the water had been alive with swim- 

 ming and diving birds. 



It was on the margin of the lake mentioned, 

 that three years ago we saw a Scarlet Grosbeak 

 feeding among some small birds, probably Finches, 

 but we were too intent on watching the Grosbeak 

 to take much notice of any others. When one of 

 a rare species like this shows itself in this country, 

 the bare statement that it has been seen is not, as 

 a rule, considered of sufficient weight to justify its 

 being registered amongst the specimens already 

 recorded. Two only, I believe, have previously 

 been recorded as having been seen in this country. 

 Proof is asked for ; and we are expected to show 

 the specimen ; but as we had no gun, and as other 

 observers may have been similarly circumstanced, 

 this demand becomes impossible of being complied 

 with. Both my friend and I had each a field-glass, 



