12 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



At one time the whole of the low part of the 

 forest through which we tramped home was 

 a wooded swamp, frequented by the bittern. 

 That fine bird comes now, and as a rule re- 

 mains ; but it is a charge of shot that stops him. 



Knowing that little ponds, as they are called, 

 to distinguish them from the larger ones, were 

 in the line of our tramp back, also plashes and 

 large water holes, I fancied something might 

 be seen on these waters, or near them. Here, 

 as in other parts of the district, the branches of 

 the trees hang over the water, the path or track 

 running behind the tree trunks. This is very 

 noticeable, for, go where you will in this dis- 

 trict, all traces of main roads can be lost for 

 hours. 



Herons, woodcocks, and snipes have all 

 brought their young out about here, well within 

 my own recollection. Also teal and ducks 

 those ducks that frequent fresh waters, surface- 

 feeders, not divers. In rough weather, when 

 fowl are driven off the sea, and especially when 

 the waters from the weald have flooded the 

 lowland meadows, the fowl gather in hosts the 

 main body of them. Then is the time to get 

 near them, if you can. But having ways and 

 wills of their own, small parties flit up and off 



