ioo WOODLAND, MOOR, AND STREAM 



catch him within gunshot of the hedge, or trees that 

 surround it, if you can. On the ploughed field he has 

 a view all round him. The food he picks up there 

 consists of plump fieldmice and frogs. 



Speaking of frogs, it is generally supposed, and 

 the supposition is accepted, that the proper place to 

 look for them is in or near the water. Excepting in 

 spring, when all the shallow pools are well stocked 

 with them at spawning time, I have only found a 

 very few, at rare intervals, near water ; but never one 

 of the kind which I have seen so often a long dis- 

 tance from it. 



Reptiles have a great attraction for me, and, as 

 far as our English ones are concerned, I have made 

 close acquaintance with them all, and handled them 

 freely the viper not excepted. 



It is possible that we have a variety of frog that 

 has not been generally recognised which is to be 

 found in places supposed to be unlikely, I mean. 

 The heron knows all about that matter. Large, 

 bright, and plump fellows with beautiful eyes, their 

 colour a warm Sienna yellow, spotted with warm 

 brown spots. A kangaroo-like leap they have, and 

 they conceal themselves under any tuft of grass or 

 plant large enough to give them shelter not hap- 

 hazard fashion, but in regular homes. If you examine 



