194 In Touch with Nature. 



needed to bring about an inherited suspicion of 

 such exposed places? That beautiful bird, the 

 least bittern, too, will make a nest where every 

 cow can brush it with its tail or trample it to 

 pieces ; and yet, in spite of all possible dangers, 

 the young reach maturity and in due season repeat 

 their parents' blunders. 



The sea-side and the upland marshes had other 

 features in common : there were plenty of tuneful 

 sparrows. Their voices were not the same, but so 

 far alike that I had but to shut my eyes when the 

 sea-side finches sang and hear the sweet ripple 

 of . song that quivers above the meadows at 

 home. Could I not do this, travel would have 

 no pleasure. 



The raccoon, I was told, is another lover of the 

 marsh, and dweller in the thick-set holly woods. 

 I saw none, very naturally, because they are too 

 wise to brave the daylight, and only the equipped 

 hunter is likely to meet with them at night. Still, 

 they are known to be abundant. That they go 

 crabbing is beyond question ; and again comes up 

 a comparison with the meadows at home. I have 

 had recent convincing evidence that the raccoon is 



