A MORNING WALK. 7 



other cover, and hide his head, ostrich-like, 

 leaving his body exposed. When a boy I re- 

 peatedly caught these birds after a long chase, 

 and always found them in the position described. 

 On the bank of the burn a Water- Vole is busy 

 washing his face, brushing his moustache, and 

 preparing himself generally as if he were to start 

 on a courting expedition. He has not yet seen 

 us, but the Moor-Hen with her little brood has, 

 and she is anxious to get them out of sight 

 and under the cover of the opposite bank. This 

 familiar bird never leaves us, but it is only in 

 very severe winters that it will become so 

 tame as feed with the poultry. A motion in 

 the grass attracts our attention. It is a Part- 

 ridge stealing swiftly away. How quickly a 

 Partridge can disappear when she gets under 

 cover, and a winged one amongst turnips will 

 sometimes baffle the best retriever to catch her. 

 The young run when hatched, and are the most 

 beautiful little things one can see in nature. 

 The various colours of their downy covering are 



