218 IN BIRD-LAND 



It is at evening, soon after sunset, that Moor- 

 hens will leave the water to go into the woods and 

 fields where they will wander about, sometimes 

 approaching quite close to dwelling-houses. Then 

 when the surrounding country is wrapt in stillness, 

 Wild Ducks will splash about in pools wherein the 

 water is not frozen. When, however, these retire, 

 there is hardly a solitary sound of life to be heard ; 

 for all nature, during the long, cold winter night, 

 seems to be asleep, and to be patiently waiting for 

 the warm and fruitful days of summer, which, in 

 due course, will come round again to revive our 

 spirits and to give joy to the birds. 



