260 WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



A weasel rushes past almost under foot ; he has been 

 following his prey so intently as not to have observed 

 where he was going. He utters a strange, startled 

 " yap," or something between that and the noise 

 usually made by the lips to encourage a horse, and 

 makes all speed into the fern. These are the happy 

 hunting-grounds of the weasels. 



During spring and summer so long as the grass, 

 clover, and corn-crops are standing, and are the cover 

 in which partridges and other birds have their nests 

 the weasels and stoats haunt the fields, being safe from 

 observation (while in the crops) and certain of finding 

 a dinner. Then, if you watch by a gap in the hedge, 

 or look through a gateway into the cornfield, you may 

 be almost certain of seeing one at least ; in a morn- 

 ing's walk in summer I have often seen two or three 

 weasels in this way. The young rabbits and leverets 

 are, of course, their prey also. But after the corn is 

 cut you may wait and watch a whole day in the fields 

 and not see a weasel. They have gone to the thick 

 mounds, the covers, woods, and forests, and therein 

 will hunt the winter through. 



The stag is still feeding peacefully ; he is now scarce 

 fifty yards away, when he catches sight and is off. 

 His body as he bounds seems to keep just above the 

 level of the fern. It is natural to follow him, though 

 of course in vain ; the mead is left behind, and once 

 more there is a wall of fern on either side of the path. 

 After a while a broad, green drive opens, and is much 

 more easy to walk along. But where does it go ? for 



