UNDER GREEN LEAVES 51 
we stand on the crest of the hill the water is trickling 
down below our feet through the moss. At the foot 
of the hill, separated from the wood by a strip of bog, 
covered by great clumps of rushes and cotton grass, 
we are expecting to see some bird life, if we are 
very cautious ; but we must avoid that bog, it quakes. 
I have been in it once, only at the edge, but that was 
quite enough. A grey alder stem, grey with moss, 
sticks up in the middle. That is the only object that 
strikes our eyes yet I never do expect to see much 
at one time, and even if we see nothing we should 
not fret ; we shall meet with all we want at some 
time or other, if we live long enough. Sometimes, 
for weeks and months together, I have not seen 
enough to talk to a child about, if I had wished to 
amuse one ; and then again have suddenly seen, at a 
time when I was not looking for it, more than I could 
have hoped for. 
If any particular spot has been frequented by 
any creature, furred, finned, or feathered, and the spot 
remains as it has always been, unless the species has 
been quite exterminated, we may look for the same 
creature there when the season recurs again. I 
have put blackcock up here many years ago, one 
of my woodland friends having invited me over to 
see them play up. They are very partial to rushy 
