LAKE, SWAMP, AND REED BED. 1 1/ 



neighbouring houses ; in autumn and winter they 

 resort thereto in compact bunches, their evolutions 

 often being of a most interesting character. The 

 Jackdaw is also a familiar visitor. For two years 

 now a bird of this species has frequented the spot 

 to feed, remarkable for having one of its legs 

 always hanging down stiff and useless. It is 

 astonishing how Nature left to herself will heal 

 many a wound and repair many a fracture ; and 

 also how the maimed individual will contrive to 

 exist under such disadvantageous conditions. So 

 long as the damaged part does not interfere 

 with obtaining food, the unfortunate individual 

 appears to lead as happy a life as its companions. 

 For some time past (we have observed it all 

 through the present summer) a female Sparrow 

 with one leg has frequented Torquay railway 

 station. We have repeatedly watched this bird 

 hopping (hopping literally as we humans best 

 understand the action) about the platform in quest 

 of crumbs ; we have seen it chase and capture 

 bees and flies under the glass roof that covers the 

 platforms ; while more interesting still, we saw it 

 feeding a couple of young birds just able to fly, 

 each of them of course blessed with the normal 



