A ROADSIDE NATURALIST. 



Our wild animals proper such, at least, as show 

 themselves under ordinary circumstances are limited 

 in number. It is of little use to look out for any 

 particular creature, in order to note some peculiar 

 action connected with its natural economy, if the 

 bird or animal in question is at all uncommon. As 

 a rule, you will have to be patient, and to trust to 

 the course of events. You may have no opportunity 

 of noting the desired habit for a year or even longer, 

 but at some unsuspected moment that very action 

 or movement will be exhibited, and your patience 

 will be rewarded. It may be some way peculiar 

 to itself of procuring its food, or the creature will 

 perhaps come and play with its young at your feet. 

 I have frequently lighted on wild things unex- 

 pectedly, and have made the most of the glimpse, 

 for it is a sight of short duration. You may crouch, 

 or lie down, or crawl on all-fours, moving as noise- 

 lessly as a snake no matter how cautious you may 

 be, something will tell that man is near, and the 

 pleasing sight will be gone in a moment. For four- 

 teen years I have been vainly trying to see one of 

 our wild animals in the act of guarding its young 

 in a time of danger. From early morning until late 



