58 MISADVENTURES OF BIRD-WATCHING 



horns against the oak tree on the crest of the 

 slope. I beat a retreat, not precipitately, but 

 craftily, dodging on the far side of the furze, 

 till I gained the copse, and climbed through the 

 gap. 



But soon another difficulty arose. The bull, 

 suspecting my presence, came near, sniffed in 

 the hedgerow, bellowed hoarsely, and gav^e 

 undoubted manifestations of a desire to clear me 

 out of his domain. However, he eventually 

 moved away, but, alas ! only to occupy such a 

 position that escape along the path up-stream 

 was well-nigh impossible. To climb the slope of 

 the copse was out of the question, for a sheer 

 wall of rock barred any exit at the top, and on 

 either side the undergrowth was so dense and 

 thorny for a hundred yards or more among 

 rugged boulders, that after trying to force a way 

 towards the wood I gave up the attempt. The 

 only alternative was to break cover and take the 

 chance of a long chase down the valley ; but 

 knowing too well the unhesitating delight with 

 which he would thunder after me, and knowing 

 also that I should fare badly if he happened to be 

 close behind at the hurdle-fence separating the 

 meadow from the swamp near the corner of the 

 glen, I abandoned that project and returned to 

 the watch. 



Lying prone on the wet grass, I once more 



