A MARSH WALK IN MAY 



15 



Long lines of yellow reeds mark the course of 

 the fen ditches, wherein, if he have luck, the shooter 

 may now and then flush a Snipe, or come suddenly 

 upon a skulking Duck and Mallard — his sole reward 

 for a long dull tramp in search of sport, unless per- 

 chance he should have the good fortune to drop 

 upon a covey of Partridges in the dry rushes, and 



THE REED BUNTING. 



secure a brace before they have placed a dozen 

 dykes between themselves and him. Six months 

 later all is changed, and the naturalist, who for the 

 first time essays a marsh walk, say in Kent, in the 

 month of May, will marvel at the transformation 

 scene presented. 



As we step off the dusty road from Rye across 

 the marsh, over which the wind still sweeps keenly 



