CHAPTER V, 



MAMMALS. 



THE list of wild mammals which we can still boast 

 in this country . is by no means a bad one, con- 

 sidering the fact that we live on a couple of small, 

 densely-populated islands. Most of the members 

 composing the list, however, are as difficult to 

 photograph as their habits are to study, mainly on 

 account of the fact that nearly all their movements 

 take place during the hours of darkness. 



Hares are exceedingly interesting creatures to 

 study on account of their curious habits, many of 

 which seem to be based upon principles involving 

 the use of considerable intelligence. Although 

 they are very timid, it is under certain conditions 

 quite possible to photograph them when young. 



In the season of love-making I have watched 

 them hunting each other and gambolling around 

 during the hours of broad daylight in the most 

 frolicsome fashion. Night, however, is their time 

 of greatest activity. They rise from their forms 

 at dusk and stretch themselves, and in hilly 

 moorland districts descend into the valleys, where 

 the most luscious grass grows, to feed. I have 

 i 



