The Snow -Walkers. 91 



where these have dropped for many tree-genera- 

 tions. 



Once again we are enjoying the pleasure of wild 

 shooting in winter, but now in the open glades. 

 Again there has been a slight fall of snow, and, 

 sure, morning was never more beautiful. The 

 feathered rain is crisp to the tread, and the 

 warm sun converts the air to that of summer. 

 The sea is blue, the hills rose-tinted, and the 

 snow-crystals make the landscape gloriously, 

 dazzlingly bright. A coating of snow will always 

 arrest the eye of the observant sportsman, 

 more especially if he have a penchant for natural 

 history. There are the tracks and trails of birds 

 and animals, and what zest is added to the search 

 in the possibility of finding a new one ! Only 

 those who follow the tracks of the snow-walkers 

 know really how rich is the land in all animate 

 nature. Be the stitching on the white coverlet 

 never so faint or so delicate, it is always ren- 

 dered faithfully. In the snow we read out the 

 history of the wild creatures immediately about us, 

 the existence of which we never even suspected. 

 In our home fields there are two or three mice, 

 as many shrews, and a couple of voles. These 

 latter leave their tracks in the hedge bottoms, or 

 along the stream sides, and we see not only 

 where they have burrowed, but what they have 

 eaten. The shrews and mice are on dryer 

 ground, and their delicate feet have pencilled 



