CHAPTER IV 



A WOOD WREN AT WELLS 



EIast of Wells Cathedral, close to the moat sur- 

 rounding the bishop's palace, there is a beautifully 

 wooded spot, a steep slope, where the birds had 

 their headquarters. There was much to attract 

 them there : sheltered by the hiU behind, it was 

 a warm corner, a wooded angle, protected by 

 high old stone walls, dear to the redstart, masses 

 of ivy, and thickets of evergreens ; while out- 

 side the walls were green meadows and running 

 water. When going out for a walk I always 

 passed through this wood, lingering a little in 

 it ; and when I wanted to smoke a pipe, or 

 have a lazy hour to myself among the trees, or 

 sitting in the sun, I almost invariably made for 

 this favourite spot. At different hours of the 



day I was a visitor, and there I heard the first 



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