viii PREFACE 



the present story of the hare, a story for the 

 first time told at length. 



Imagination has of necessity supplied much 

 of the description of a life spent under the stars ; 

 but nothing alien to the hare's habits and 

 character has been wittingly introduced, though 

 what the outlook on the world, what the 

 thoughts of this and the predatory creatures 

 entering into the drama are, must ever remain 

 a matter for speculation. 



The narrative has been placed a century 

 back, chiefly because the more primitive days of 

 a bygone Cornwall allowed the inclusion of more 

 numerous fauna, and permitted the use of a 

 wilder setting. 



For my aim has been to present a picture 



instinct with the spirit of the wild, of the upland, 



moor, and cliff of the Land's End at a time when 



the prey and the beast of prey roamed the night 



fearless of snare and gin — and man rarely 



intruded by day — under conditions, rapidly fading 



into oblivion, which seem worthy of record before 



they disappear for ever. 



J. C. T. 



RosMORRAN, Newquay, 



Cornwall, Aug. 28, 1912. 



