1 42 SMALL DEER OUR RODENTS 
are kept to the very shallowest parts. Here they 
receive their first lessons in aquatic life. Any little 
hollow where the tree-roots form a sort of cage for 
them is frequented ; any shallow where a dead limb 
has fallen and half rotted as it lay, will give another 
opportunity for them to exercise themselves in their 
various movements. For the young of all creatures 
would, like those of so-called humans, come to dire 
misfortune if they were not properly looked after. 
The wild instincts of all domesticated animals, also, 
are called into play again when the maternal passions 
are roused, and the exigencies of the case demand it. 
When you see the voles swim from one side of the 
pool to the other, you can keep your rod in its case. 
For depend upon it the pike are then in the sedge 
and rush roots, or at least just outside of them ; 
and the young of birds as well as the voles are out. 
This is in the lush-green summer-time ; but autumn 
follows, and the rushes and sedges are brown, and the 
foliage of the oak has become a rich tawny orange in 
colour, As the wind rustles through the branches 
the acorns fall from their cups, points downwards, 
with a hissing swish, swish, swish, like so many 
conical rifle-bullets. These go to the bottom of the 
pool, where they lie hidden from view, but not lost, 
for wild ducks will come and dive for them, after 
