One peculiar thing I noticed immediately I came into it; and that
was what a lot of birds there were about. Every tree seemed to
have two or three nests in it. And heaps of other wild creatures
appeared to be making themselves at home there, too. Stoats and
tortoises and dormice seemed to be quite common, and not in the
least shy. Toads of different colors and sizes hopped about the
lawn as though it belonged to them. Green lizards (which were
very rare in Puddleby) sat up on the stones in the sunlight and
blinked at us. Even snakes were to be seen.

"You need not be afraid of them," said the Doctor, noticing that
I started somewhat when a large black snake wiggled across the
path right in front of us. "These fellows are not poisonous.
They do a great deal of good in keeping down many kinds of
garden-pests. I play the flute to them sometimes in the evening.
They love it. Stand right up on their tails and carry on no end.
Funny thing, their taste for music."

"Why do all these animals come and live here?" I asked. "I never
saw a garden with so many creatures in it."

"Well, I suppose it's because they get the kind of food they
like; and nobody worries or disturbs them. And then, of course,
they know me. And if they or their children get sick I presume
they find it handy to be living in a doctor's garden--Look! You
see that sparrow on the sundial, swearing at the blackbird down
below? Well, he has been coming here every summer for years. He
comes from London. The country sparrows round about here are
always laughing at him. They say he chirps with such a Cockney
accent. He is a most amusing bird--very brave but very cheeky. He