30 EYES AND NO EYES 
Unheeding this, the gentleman went on com- 
plaining bitterly ; as to owls, he didn't believe 
there was one of them about the place ; and talk 
about the yikeing laugh of the yaffle, it was sheer 
humbug. 
' What's that you say no yaffles ? ' replied one of 
the men, much amused. ' They're nearly as common 
as blackbirds in this 'ere park ; and owls too, if it 
didn't happen to be just mid-day. If you was to see 
them yaffles, and to ask them to holler, I dessay as 
they'd do it for ye. But do ye know as you're tres- 
passing on this 'ere land ? ' 
' I have come to see some otters.' 
' Then you've come on a fool's errand. Did ye 
think they run about here like sheep ? I can get ye 
one for a suvrin. Ye don't want one ? Then you 
walk off here ; for I tell ye, ye are trespassing.' 
ft was certainly very disappointing for our friend, 
but rather hard lines that I should be held respon- 
sible for his disappointment. 
I have received many most kind and sympathetic 
letters from ardent lovers of the birds, ladies as well 
as gentlemen, asking me if I would give them the 
exact localities where I have seen such and such 
migrants drop in their flight ; or where such and such 
.a sequestered pool happens to be situated. Some 
