My Last Day in the Fen, 245 



river with his punt and big gun. Scarcely cognisant of what was 

 going on in the outer world, he was nevertheless perfectly at home 

 in his own peculiar district -, and, rich in lowland lore, a rare fund 

 of reliable information regarding the fauna of the fen, the results of 

 more than half a century's experience, flowed glibly from the lips 

 of one who had probably never opened a book in his life. Our 

 supper was soon ready and heartily enjoyed, and the evening glided 

 by in converse witli the old man, and in listening to the anecdotes 

 which poured in on all sides ; for as soon as the navvies knew what 

 was the purport of my visit, each one had something extraordinary 

 to relate respecting the fishing or shooting in this locality. 



I shall never forget on a previous occasion being camped in this 

 very public with a friend from the North, now, perhaps, one of the 

 best ornithologists that not only England, but Europe can boast. 

 It was in the spring, and we had come down to explore the fen, and 

 to see if we could obtain nests of the bearded tit, hen harrier, &c. 

 As usual, a lot of these navvies were billeted in our hostel, and 

 they listened with evident interest to the cross-examination which 

 the old gunner underwent respecting his knowledge of the habits 

 of the ftn-birds, &c. Next morning, about breakfast-time, I heard 

 an unwonted stir outside the house, and the clattering of heavy 

 highlows and a confused murmur of voices told us something 

 was up. Presently the door burst open, and a gang of about 

 a dozen elbowed their way into the room. One was elected 

 spokesman, and, holding up a handkerchief which evidently con- 

 tained, in his estimation, a treasure of some kind or other, he 

 accosted my friend with, '' Nov;', then. Old Curossity, we've got 

 something for you." It is needless to say that " Old Curossky" 

 was soon on his legs, and after many injunctions to be very careful, 

 the handkerchief was opened, and a hedgehog crawled out on the 

 floor ! The scene at that moment was a rich study for Leech • and 

 I can hardly say which was the most striking — the triumphant air 

 with which the navvies regarded their treasure, or the blank look 

 of disappointment which suddenly overspread the countenance 

 of my friend. I dared not look at either, but busied myself with 



