UNDER GREEN LEAVES 65 
come. In some way the knowledge is transmitted 
that the wild land of which man can make no use is 
the safest place for the creatures to nest in ; the 
birds seem well aware of this the wild ones know it, 
and the half-wild ones find it out. Indeed, man him- 
self is at times best off out in the wilds, apart from 
his fellows. 
Under the tender green leaves is the place to 
watch the birds nesting, or rearing their families. 
For more than half a century I have had this 
pleasure each year, and I hope to have it for many 
a year yet to come. What care and self-denial is 
theirs, as they feed their young before taking their 
own food ! Ever ready, too, they are, to sacrifice 
their lives in trying to defend their offspring. And 
the birds of prey are as gentle in this respect as is 
the robin. Reynard himself is a good father, and 
his vixen partner a most exemplary mother. Stoats 
and weasels will carry their kittens and will defend 
them to the very last. As to the hated rat, no living 
creature fights a better battle for its young. Much, 
indeed, there is to instruct man, and many matters 
for him to ponder over out in the open, when leaves 
are green. 
