258 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



happens that more may be observed while stationary 

 in one spot than while traversing a mile or two ; for 

 many animals crouch or remain perfectly still, and con- 

 sequently invisible, when they hear a footstep. There 

 is a slight, tapping sound it seems quite near, but it 

 is really some little way off ; and presently a wood- 

 pecker crosses the open, flying with a wave-like motion, 

 now dipping and now rising. Soon afterwards a 

 second passes : there are numbers of them scattered 

 about the forest. A clattering noise comes from the 

 trees on the left it is a wood-pigeon changing his 

 perch ; he has settled again, for now his hollow note 

 is heard, and he always calls while perching. A loud 

 screeching and chattering deeper in the forest tells 

 that the restless jays are there. A missel-thrush 

 comes and perches on a branch right overhead, utter- 

 ing his harsh note, something like turning a small 

 rattle. But he stays a moment only : he is one of 

 the most suspicious of birds, and has instantly ob- 

 served that there is some one near. A magpie crosses 

 the mead and disappears. 



Something moving yonder in the grass catches the 

 eye ; it is a reddish, bushy tail, apparently without a 

 body, yet held nearly upright, and moving hither and 

 thither in a quick, nervous way. Suddenly down it 

 goes, and the squirrel raises himself on his haunches to 

 listen to some suspicious sound, holding his forefeet 

 something like a kangaroo. Then he recommences 

 searching, and the tail rises, alone visible above the 

 tall grass. Now he bounds, and as his body passes 





