In the large water-meadows a small flock sometimes remained all day: it was possible to approach near enough by stalking behind the hedges to see the colour of the mallards; but they were always out of gunshot.

This place must be full of teal then; as for moorhens, there were signs of them everywhere, and several feeding in the grass.

The thought of the sport to be got here when the frosty days came was enough to make one wild.
After a long look across, I began to examine the stream near at hand: the rushes and flags had forced the clear sweet current away from the meadow, so that it ran just under the bank.

I was making out the brown sticks at the bottom, when there was a slight splash--caused by Orion about ten yards farther up--and almost at the same instant something shot down the brook towards me.

He had doubtless landed a jack, and its fellow rushed away.