Rock Garden at St. Clairtown. 



53 



then fixing it on the hamper, where stood the imprisoned gull, 

 accosted Jack in these terms: — "These have been the most 

 heaviest gales we've been out in as ever I seed. It was a 

 perfect hurricane last night, fit to blow the teeth out of a 

 fellow's head. Now, Jack, I 've just been thinking as how 

 that there hanimal you have got here is the cause of it all. 

 Hang it, I 'd let go the tow-line, and set him adrift, I would ; 

 no use talking, j^ou know, Jack." No sooner said than done, 

 and the gull took the water. The honest tar, however, on 

 reaching London, proceeded to Clapham Rise, and delivered 

 his letter ; while his blunt story greatly tickled the gentleman 

 and his family. 



Two coots, and three water-hens, brought from Kilconquar 

 Loch a year ago, remain on the spot ; and, though extremely 

 shy at first, are now often to be seen skimming the pond in 

 quest of flies, or otherwise enjoying a little pastime. A solitary 

 lapwing completes the catalogue of birds attached to the rockery, 

 and by his frequent and well known cry (peese-weep) adds much 

 to the natural wildness of the scenery. None of the feathered 

 tribes at large have yet begun to nestle about the place, in con- 

 sequence of additions being made to the rockwork from time to 

 time, and chiefly in the spring, when the birds are building. 

 The wagtail, oxeye, and stonechatter, however, with the linnet, 



e 3 



