202 OUT OF DOORS. 



been indebted for his life, and has been known to kill 

 in succession a whole series of unfortunate redbreasts 

 that happened to trespass on the ground which he con- 

 sidered as his peculiar property. 



Perhaps our lane is knee-deep in snow, and path, 

 ditch, hedge, tree, and field are alike clothed with one 

 uniform mantle of shining white, glittering here and 

 there as the cold sunbeams sparkle on the sharp snow- 

 crystals that gleam like microscopic jewellery from every 

 spray. 



Where are all the busy, merry creatures that flitted 

 among the branches, traversed the soil, or urged their 

 course through the waters ? Some, such as certain 

 migratory birds, have flown to warmer regions, many 

 have perished with the first frosts, having completed 

 their earthly mission, while myriad others are still 

 living in some recess, quiescent to all external appear- 

 ance, but full of life and activity within, either sunk in 

 that marvellous state of existence which seems really to 

 be half-way between sleep and death, or undergoing a 

 total change of being, in readiness for the ensuing 

 spring. 



We miss our little friend, the squirrel, from his 

 accustomed haunts. No longer is he to be seen scud- 

 ding about the grass in his own odd fashion, squatting 

 upright with his feathery tail curled parasol-wise over 

 his head, picking up a beech-nut with his fore-paws, 

 nibbling at it critically, and then throwing it away and 

 hopping after another. No longer can we amuse our- 



