ON PLAIN AND PEAK 



the sun gilding the fresh and tender green of the 

 young oak leaves ! A golden haze hangs over the 

 whole landscape it is almost like a scene on the 

 stage with a yellow lime-light thrown on to it ! 



There is a hare, quite close to us, nibbling away 

 at the grass. We can see her long ears work as 

 she listens for the approach of any enemy, and the 

 timid way in which the great eyes glance around. 

 She never dreams that we are just above her! 



And yonder is a blackcock, enjoying himself in 

 the sunlight, and never thinking of those poor wives 

 of his who have to work hard to bring up their 

 little families. A great black woodpecker, with a 

 red head, is hammering away at a tree fifty yards 

 on our left ; and the soft and restful coo of the turtle- 

 dove sounds in the depths of the wood behind us. 



Here comes a roe-doe, stepping gracefully along, 

 taking a bite here and a bite there of the young 

 leaves. She too has a good look round for any 

 danger every few minutes. 



What a life of ceaseless watching and listening 

 these wild animals lead ! 



There ! she has frightened the blackcock, and 

 he rises, and goes whirring away over the woods, 

 whilst she jumps aside with a scared bark for a 

 roe barks almost like a dog when alarmed. 



" Oh, it is only that stupid selfish blackcock," she 

 probably says to herself ; " I needn't be afraid of 



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