14 WILD-FOWL AND SEA-FOWL OF GREAT BRITAIN 



stepped off it on to the bare place we almost stepped 

 over them : they were far too frightened to run, so 

 they squatted, and as it were mimicked flint-stones. 

 It was only their breathing caused us to notice them. 

 Do what they will they are not able to conceal their 

 alarm, and their bodies move very perceptibly when 

 they breathe, telling you very plainly they are 

 frightened, and that they would be very glad if 

 you were gone. Never injure or kill any creature 

 you are studying, nor capture, if you can possibly 

 avoid it ; for you might just as well destroy the 

 pages in an unread book, and then expect to know 

 what was in it. If you wish to know something of 

 a creature's life, killing it will not inform you. One 

 understands how there is so much speculative 

 natural history about. A few facts are worth a 

 score of the most elaborate theories. 



A stretch of low grey-green uplands is lit up for 

 a time with a dull tawny light, for night is near. 

 The little light remaining is the last reflection from 

 the after-glow of a marsh-land sunset. A mournful 

 whistling cry is heard, answered by others of a like 

 nature. The dull break of water can be heard on 

 the beach below, and with it is mixed up the cries 

 of birds. They come from gulls, cackling before 

 they rest on the flats. If you linger here long you 

 will feel a bit eerie, for all you will hear will be the 

 plaintive calls of those bright-eyed coursers, the 

 Stone Curlews. 



