ENGLISH BIRD-LIFE 



403 



I went to Holmesley and drove thence, through Burley, 

 to Picket Post, lodging at an isolated tea-house in the midst 

 of the gorse-covered moors, — the home of the Dartford 

 Warbler. Nearby, was a bit of the original forest growth, 

 which doubtless covered a large part of the country at the 

 time of the Norman invasion. Here are magnificent patri- 

 archal beeches, not one, but every tree of exceptional beauty 

 and dignity. The mossy ground beneath, decorated with hy - 



Beeches in the New Forest 



acinth, wood sorrel, and veronica, was as free from under- 

 growth as a lawn, and stretched away beneath the gray 

 limbs and green leaves, iuto enchanted glades and aisles, 

 from which one would not have been surprised to see Robin 

 Hood and his merry men step forth at any moment. Never 

 have I seen a more inviting woodland. 



One may drive north through the forest to Salisbury 

 where, on the surrounding plains, he will not be out of hear- 



