A SUBURBAN ESTATE 13 



prefer to "grass" a partridge going down wind at 

 any speed between fifty and eighty miles an hour, to 

 one that feebly rises at their feet and flutters away 

 at a pace not much quicker than their retrievers can 

 run. The stronger birds are quite able to take care 

 of themselves, and the presence of an enemy always 

 makes them more cute or self-reliant, and conse- 

 quently there is more satisfaction in knowing that 

 your birds are the best that can be reared. 



This suburban estate contains one large lake and 

 several smaller pieces of water, all of which have 

 plenty of bird life to add to their charms. The 

 larger or lower lake is inclosed by a fringe of reeds 

 and iris roots. In one part especially, the whole 

 corner is overgrown with water-plants, and often 

 as I pass I see the black head of a reed-bunting 

 showing from a swaying stem ; or perchance one 

 hears the merry chat-chat-chat of a sedge-warbler, 

 hidden as he is in the thick bushes near the taller 

 reeds. 



Wandering round the lake, and keeping a keen 

 look-out for any movements, we can notice many 

 of the lesser-known habits of water-birds which are 

 here. In fact, if we lie on the bank and effectually 

 hide ourselves we have the pleasure of seeing numbers 

 of water-birds at home. If we want to see how any 

 really wild bird behaves that is, find out its own 

 everyday habits we must be hidden. 



