By River and Pool. 1 89 



ing how the Moorhen will continue to haunt such 

 a spot long after the entire aspect of it has been 

 changed. We know of dams, once surrounded by 

 gardens and fields, now almost hidden by houses 

 and workshops, where this bird still lingers and 

 breeds every year, amidst a never-ceasing din from 

 water-driven tilts and forges. The series of dams in 

 the Endcliffe Valley, one following the other through 

 a succession of picturesque woods, and united by a 

 broad stream, all situated in the western suburbs of 

 Sheffield, were a very favoured haunt of birds. There 

 can be little doubt that a century and a half ago 

 Francis Jessop used to search this valley for orni- 

 thological information; from that day to this not a 

 few of the birds that are intimately associated with 

 his name continue to frequent the place. Here may 

 the Kingfisher be watched, gliding like a spot of 

 blue across the water and up the wooded stream, 

 which is a favourite resort of the Gray Wagtail. 

 Then the fringe of alders by many of these York- 

 shire pools and rivers is a favourite resort of Tit- 

 mice, Redpoles, and Siskins. Nowhere in the 

 northern shires does the alder flourish better than 

 here; its wood is used to make the clogs or wooden- 

 soled shoes so universally worn by the mill hands, 

 colliers, and poorer classes of Lancashire and York- 

 shire. During its growth, here by the river-side, its 

 seeds are a great attraction to these little birds. The 



