210 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



gray moth, so exactly the colour of gray lichen that 

 it might be passed for it pursued, of course, as it 

 clumsily falls, by two or more birds eager for the 

 spoil. It is feast-time with them when the cockchafers 

 come : they leave nothing but wing-cases scattered 

 on the garden paths, like the shields of slain men- 

 at-arms. 



In the bright sunshine, when there is not a cloud in 

 the sky, slender beetles come forth from the cracks of 

 the earth and run swiftly across the paths, glittering 

 green and gold, iridescent colours glistening on their 

 backs. These are locally called sun-beetles, because 

 they appear when the sun is brightest. Be careful 

 not to step on or kill one ; for if you do it will certainly 

 rain, according to the old superstition. The black- 

 bird, when he picks up one of the larger beetles, holds 

 it with its back towards him in his bill, so that the 

 legs claw helplessly at the air, and thus carries it to a 

 spot where he can pick it to pieces at his leisure. 



The ha-ha wall of the orchard is the favourite haunt 

 of butterflies ; they seem to love its sunny aspect, 

 and often cling to the loose stone like ornaments 

 attached by some cunning artist. Sulphur butterflies 

 hover here early in the spring, and later on white 

 and brown and tiny blue butterflies pass this way, 

 calling en route. Sometimes a great noble of the 

 butterfly world comes in all the glory of his wide 

 velvety wings, and deigns to pause awhile that his 

 beauty may be seen. 



Somewhere within doors, in the huge beams or wood- 



