A MARSH WALK IN MAY 25 



possession. Where the shingle borders the marsh 

 farm, large patches of furze abound, now in full 

 golden bloom ; and while we are speculating upon 

 the expected appearance of the Stonechat, a hen 

 Partridge gets up with much fuss and clamour, and 

 is shortly joined by the cock bird, who has run 

 forward a few yards on hearing us approach. 

 There is evidently a nest at hand in the furze ; but 

 we do not waste time in looking for it, for it is 

 four o'clock, and we are a long way from home. 

 The sight of white wings in the distance, amidst 

 which we note a Black-backed Gull, leads us on 

 some way further over the beach ; but the Gulls 

 retire as we approach, and we make no better 

 acquaintance with them. 



On our way home across the marsh we catch 

 sight of a Dabchick, or Little Grebe, in one of the 

 dykes, and add a few more species, somewhat un- 

 expectedly, to our list of birds noted. Amongst 

 others we see three Cuckoos, two of them flying in 

 company. Were they late arrivals just coming in 

 from sea ? or had they been visiting the reed beds 

 to see if any Reed Warblers' nests were yet ready 

 to receive their eggs ? 



About one of the marsh farms (the only spots 

 on the marsh where any trees are to be found) a 

 solitary pair of Mistle Thrushes fly round with 

 their well-known noisy screech. Starlings and 

 Sparrows are busy carrying food to their young, 

 and on the nearest dyke bank a fine Reed Bunting, 

 with jet black head and white collar, displays him- 

 self to great advantage. 



