20 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



round I saw lying in the boat two large shells of 

 the fresh-water mussel ; using these, I cleared out 

 as much water as possible, and tried to paddle the 

 punt ashore with my hands a long, tedious occupa- 

 tion, but which at last had its reward. 



To see the little grebe at home we must go to one 

 of the higher lakes. 



Flickering balls of light seem to be playing over 

 the still surface of the pond, the branches of many 

 trees, thick with foliage on either side, wave to 

 and fro, thus letting through the cheerful sunlight. 

 Swallows are gliding over the surface, the snap of 

 their beaks as they take in a fly being distinctly 

 heard. Martins with their white rumps follow the 

 swallows, and "dip" every now and then to take 

 an insect from the water. Though not clear, the 

 water can hardly be called muddy, and dark green 

 seems to be its prevailing colour. The water- 

 ranunculus with its white petals grows in small 

 groups, and around these green and white patches 

 tiny moor-hens are swimming. Their parents follow 

 and pick up flies and feed their promising brood ; 

 but the tiny black birds capture many of these 

 for themselves. On one side of the small lake is 

 a rookery, young rooks are calling and clamouring 

 for food, and as the old birds approach with sup- 

 plies of delicacies, the youngsters are in danger of 

 toppling out of their homes in their eagerness to 



