ALONE WITH NATURE 277 



was at this time growing dusk, and the Sedge- 

 Warblers were striking up their chattering songs 

 all around ; the Reed-Warblers could also be 

 distinguished by their slightly softer notes ; 

 two Grasshopper- Warblers were " reeling " from 

 the sallow bushes in the meadow ; while from 

 this same field, sounding much harsher, but still 

 somewhat similar came the " churring " of the 

 Nightjar. 



All around on the still water, there now rose a 

 thick white mist, which looked like steam among 

 the reeds and meadows. Standing up in the boat, 

 the view was as if one was in a vast white sea, 

 with here and there a tall patch of reeds, a bush, 

 or hedgerow showing like small islands or strips 

 of land. Each dip of the oar, while proceeding 

 towards our yacht, seemed to stir up more mist 

 from the water. Overhead there was a swish, 

 swish, of wings, as the Wild Ducks flew past to 

 their feeding haunts ; but nothing was seen except 

 here and there a star shining out between the thin 

 clouds, which were now of a dark grey colour. It 

 was delightful to be thus alone with Nature in a 

 place like this Broad, where the quietness of 

 solitude was broken only by the harsh chatter of 

 night. Warblers. At such a time one more fully 

 realises the wonderful and manifold works of the 



