194 WITHIN AN HOUR OF LONDON TOWN. 



hear both together, then the row is terrible. It is 

 wise, when out observing Nature, to do one's 

 utmost to avoid alarming either of these birds, 

 for the effect of doing so is most disastrous. 



As you pass through these old beech-woods you 

 might almost fancy you were walking down the 

 aisles of some great cathedral. Not even a faint 

 rustle can be heard above or below; but walking 

 on, you chance to step on a dead branch which 

 had been concealed by the leaves it snaps, and 

 what a transformation that simple act of yours 

 has created ! From some cover in the under- 

 growth, where his bright eyes have been watching 

 you as you passed, out dashes the blackbird, and 

 shriek after shriek peals forth as he flies. Misfor- 

 tunes never come alone, and when the frightened 

 yells of the yaffle not his yikeing laugh join issue 

 with shrieks from the flute-player of the woods, 

 the observer of Nature may as well " make tracks" 

 at once ; that rotten stick has proved a marplot. 



The wood, which had appeared deserted, be- 

 comes instantly full of life; wood -pigeons shoot 

 up from the tree -tops with loud claps of their 

 wings as they dash hither and thither, crossing 



