2 2 RECREATIONS OF A NATURALIST 



led to a large shallow pool, so completely covered 

 with growing reeds, already a foot above the 

 surface, that at a little distance it might be supposed 

 to be terra firma. The water, however, is a foot 

 or two deep, in some places more, and it is a 

 treacherous place to walk through. As we 

 approach, several Black-headed Gulls, which till 



THE BLACK-HEADED GULL. 



then had been sitting concealed upon their nests, 

 rise above the reed tops, and come flying towards 

 us with angry cries, irritated at the invasion of their 

 breeding quarters. But we are not maliciously 

 disposed. We shall merely wade out into the reed 

 bed and look at the nests, taking an ^^'g here and 

 there which may strike us as being particularly 

 handsome, to add to a collection which already 

 contains many a souvenir of a summer day's ramble. 



