280 Wild Life in a Southern County 



hidden by weeds. Willows grow there in great quanti- 

 ties, and some of their branches may be available ; but 

 then the water is hidden by weeds, and, being muddy at 

 bottom, is not frequented by those shoals of roach the 

 kingfisher delights to watch. So that the best places to 

 look for this bird are on the streams which feed the mere 

 (especially just where they enter it, for there the fish often 

 assemble), and the streams that issue forth, not far from 

 the main water. 



This old hatch it is so old and rotten that it is a 

 little dangerous to cross it is situate in the latter posi- 

 tion, on the effluent, and is almost hidden among trees 

 and bushes. Several hedges there meet, and form a small 

 cover, in the midst of which flows the dark brook ; but do 

 not go near carelessly, for the bank is undermined by the 

 water itself and by the water-rats, while the real edge is 

 concealed by long coarse grasses. These water-rats are 

 for ever endangering the bay : they bore their holes at 

 the side through the bank from above and emerge below 

 the hatch. Out of one such hole the water is now rush- 

 ing, and if it is not soon stopped will wear away the soil 

 and escape in such quantities as to lower the level behind 

 the hatch. These little beaver-like creatures are not, 

 therefore, welcome near hatches and dams. 



If you approach the cover quietly and step over the 

 decayed pole that has been placed to close a gap, by care- 

 fully parting the bushes, the kingfisher may be seen in his 

 favourite position. The old pole must not be pressed in 

 getting over it, or the willow < bonds ' or withes with 

 which it is fastened to a tree each side of the gap will 

 creak, and the pole itself may crack, and so alarm the 

 bird. The kingfisher perches on the narrow rail that 

 crosses the hatch about two feet above the water. 



