BIOGRAPHY. 65 



has already repaid me for the pains which I have taken in its 

 cultivation ; and when I resort to my usual evening stand, in 

 order to watch the flocks of sparrows, finches, and starlings, 

 whilst they are dropping in upon the neighbouring hollies, 

 I feel not the wintry blast, as the yew-trees, which are 

 close at hand, are to me a shield against its fury ; and in 

 fact, they offer me a protection little inferior to that of 

 the house itself" 



There is a magnificent crescent-shaped yew-hedge, which 

 partly suiTounds the stables, and shuts them out from 

 sight so effectually, that no one could suspect their pre- 

 sence unless informed of it. Another yew-hedge forms a 

 sort of wall behind the Ivy Tower, and aids in keeping it 

 quiet for the many birds which breed in it. 



I have given the land view of the gateway (sometimes 

 called the " Ivy Tower " in the Essays) because it shows how 

 admirably Waterton adapted existing objects to his chief 

 pursuit at Walton Hall, namely, the cherishing of birds 

 and study of their habits. 



The view is taken from the southern window of the 

 guest-chamber, and is one of the first objects that meets 

 the visitor's eyes on rising in the morning. 



One portion of this illustration requires notice. Just 

 above the yew-hedge may be seen a curious - looking 

 circular tower ; with a conical roof. This was built ex- 

 pressly for the use of starlings, and is appropriately named 

 the Starling Tower. Many starlings found a home in the 

 Ivy Tower, but wishing to accom.modate these birds still 

 further, Waterton built this tower for them, and a very 

 interesting structure it is, uniting several advantages. 



In the first place, it is raised upon a smooth stone 

 pillar, on which rests a large circular, flattened stone, 

 considerably larger than the pillar. The object of this 

 arrangement is to keep out rats, the worst foes of the 



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