Section 205. THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES. V.
Reading edition
Tutor.—Probably his nest was there, for herons build upon the loftiest tree they can find, and sometimes in society together, like rooks. Formerly, when these birds were valued for the amusement of hawking[1], many gentlemen had their heronries[2], and a few are still remaining.
William.—I think (S. 64, N. 11) they are the largest wild birds we have.
Tutor.—They are of great length and spread of wing[3], but their bodies are comparatively small.
William.—I then turned homeward, across the meadows, where I stopped awhile, to look at[4] a large flock of starlings, which kept flying about at no great distance. I could not tell at first what to make of them[5], for they rose altogether from the ground as thick as a swarm of bees, and formed themselves into a kind[6] of black cloud, hovering over the field. After taking a short round[7], they settled again, but presently rose in the same manner. I dare say[8] there were hundreds of them.
Tutor.—Perhaps so[9]; for in the fenny counties their flocks are so numerous[10] as to break down whole acres of reeds, by settling on them[11]. This disposition[12] of starlings to fly in close swarms was remarked even by Homer, who compares the foe (S. 48, N. 6) flying from one of his heroes to a cloud of starlings retiring dismayed at the approach of the hawk.
William.—After I had left the meadows, I crossed[13] the corn-fields in the way to our house, and passed close by a deep marl-pit. Looking into it, I saw, on one of the sides, a cluster of what[14] I took to be shells; and upon going down, I picked up a clod of marl[15], which was quite full of them; but how sea-shells can get there, I cannot imagine.
Tutor.—I do not wonder at your surprise, since many philosophers have been much perplexed to account for the same appearance[16]. It is not uncommon to find[17] great quantities of shells and relics of marine animals, even in the bowels of high mountains, very remote from the sea.
William.—I got[18] to the high field next to our house just as the sun was setting, and I stood looking at it till it was quite lost[19]. What a glorious sight! The clouds were tinged with purple, crimson, and yellow of all shades and hues, and the clear sky varied from blue to a fine green at the horizon. But how large the sun appears just as it sets! I think it seems twice as big as when it is over-head.