1 84 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



and Dawlish, and again between Teignmouth and 

 Newton Abbot. If the tide be out, and the muds 

 consequently exposed, more likely than not he will 

 remark here and there the grey figures of Herons 

 standing in the shallows or on the shore, intent 

 upon fishing, and taking but little notice of the 

 passing train. The Heron is one of our wariest 

 and shyest birds, and yet custom has so reconciled 

 it to the locomotive that it is allowed to pass with 

 indifference. > The Gulls are much the same, and 

 the train will be allowed to pass them within gun- 

 shot, whilst an approaching man would invariably 

 be kept at a safe distance. We have seen Shags 

 fishing in these estuaries at high water almost 

 under the carriage windows. It is the same else- 

 where; and most railway travellers of an observant 

 turn of mind must have repeatedly remarked such 

 shy birds as Coots and Grebes, Pheasants and 

 Partridges, watch a passing train without the 

 slightest symptom of alarm. Then we have the 

 case of the Rook, of which there are countless 

 instances of its remaining in occupation of certain 

 trees whilst busy towns have grown around them, 

 or railways have pierced their old-time resorts. 

 There can be little doubt that railways would 



