212 BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES 



joined in the paean to spring. A gentle breeze scarce ruffled 

 the still waters of Buxton millpond on that sweet morning 

 as a young pair floated languorously upon the silver water 

 for though they do not lay the first year, they tread 

 the young cock bird looking at times up the bright river 

 towards the old church, upon the reflection of which an 

 older pair of birds were swimming leisurely. 



Anon, seized with desire, the old cock of the church pool 

 paddled majestically, with all sail set, down to the mill 

 pool, never deigning to glance at me as he passed. On 

 he went straight to the young pair of lovers, and singling 

 out the hen, he paddled with arched-back neck round her, 

 and in a clever manner separated her from her simple 

 lover, who sailed swiftly away. Turning his prey, he 

 chased her before him, she paddling dog fashion, her 

 heart beating with fear. Having placed some fifty boats' 

 lengths between her and her young but timid husband, 

 he rose on the water, mad with desire, and flew noisily 

 towards her, and in some forty yards came up with her, 

 seized her with his strong bill between her white shoul- 

 ders, she, terror-stricken, flapping her wings and paddling 

 towards the quaint 1 low water-side, where she succeeded in 

 landing, but never for a moment did he relinquish his 

 grip. Meanwhile her outraged husband, who had come 

 up with great show of fury and bustling feathers, got out 

 on the bank beside them, and only watched and waited till 

 the old cock writhed off backwards, when he stretched 

 his neck, hissed, shook himself, and walking down to the 

 river, began throwing water over himself, after which he 

 swam leisurely off to his lawful spouse. The injured hus- 

 band made a pretence of following the ravisher to avenge 

 his honour, but soon desisted, and the injured pair began 

 bathing and flapping their wings. The young cock was 

 in all probability too poor in condition to give battle ; and 

 the end of it : the ravisher's lawful spouse received him 

 joyfully. 



