344 Wild Life in a Southern County. 
broader expanse of water above. In the brooks.they 
find overhanging branches upon which to perch and 
watch for their prey, and without which they can 
do nothing. Inthe lake the only places where such 
boughs can be found are the shallow stretches where 
the bottom is entirely mud, and where the water is 
almost hidden by weeds. Willows grow there in great 
quantities, and some of their branches may be 
available ; but then the water is hidden by weeds, 
and, being muddy at bottom, is not frequented 
by those shoals of roach the kingfisher delights 
to watch. So that the best places to look for this 
bird are on the streams which feed the mere (espe- 
cially just where they enter it, for there the fish often 
assemble) and the streams that issue forth, not far 
from the main water. 
This old hatch—it is so old and rotten that it is 
a little dangerous to cross it—is situate in the latter 
position, on the effluent, and is almost hidden among 
trees and bushes. Several hedges there meet, and 
form a small cover, in the midst of which flows the 
dark brook; but do not go near carelessly, for the 
bank is undermined by the water itself and by the 
water-rats, while the real edge is concealed by long 
coarse grasses. These water-rats are for ever endan- 
gering the bay: they bore their holes at the side 
through the bank from above and emerge below the 
hatch. Out of one such hole the water is now rush- 
ing, and if it is not soon stopped will wear away the 
