IO2 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



Now and then a Duck comes up at full speed 

 and with flapping wings drops into the lake ; 

 others rise at intervals to seek new quarters ; 

 others sit and preen their feathers, or with head 

 tucked in amongst their plumage enjoy a safe and 

 undisturbed siesta. Odd Herons may frequently 

 be flushed from quiet shallow corners of the ley, 

 tempted thither by the abundance of food, whilst 

 the shy Water Rail finds a sanctuary amongst 

 the reeds and rushes, and other coarse vegetation 

 of the shore. 



When the reeds attain their full growth, a 

 shelter of the densest kind is furnished to the 

 birds frequenting Slapton Ley. And now who 

 shall say with certainty what bird does or does 

 not find a haunt in such a secluded spot? 

 More than once I have been assured that the 

 Bearded Titmouse frequents these dense waving 

 reed forests on the eastern portions of the ley : 

 a local resident, evidently well acquainted with 

 the bird-life there, strongly asserted that this 

 species dwelt amongst the reeds, and his descrip- 

 tion of it was most exact and precise ; but we 

 could never find a trace of this species in the 

 locality, and we have been there at all seasons. 



