IO4 Poachers and Poaching. 



imagination to detect in the notes of this species 

 the similarity to the grasshopper, and the 

 " monotonous whirr like the spinning of a 

 fishing-reel," is fairly expressible of the bird's 

 song. Perfect master of intricate maze and 

 covert, it is never far from them. Even though 

 it has ventured above his accustomed limits, its 

 vigilance sends it back at the least noise, though 

 its retreat is rarely observed, for instead of flying, 

 it creeps closely, never rising when alarmed. 

 Again we pass into the darkness. Moles have 

 thrown up ridges of loose, light soil ; and these 

 cross us again and again. The short, sharp bark 

 of a fox comes from the scrub ; and soon dog 

 and vixen answer each other across the dale. 



And now we enter the park. The deer, dis- 

 turbed in the darkness, get up and walk quietly 

 away. A white fawn is outlined against the 

 dark herd. Whenever an owner dies, say the 

 menials at the Hall, a great bough is riven from 

 the giant oak ; whenever a new heir comes to 

 the estate, a white fawn is born. Under the 

 dark slabs by the river the otters breed ; but it 

 is impossible to dislodge them. Iron-sinewed, 

 shaggy otter-hounds have tried, but never with 

 success. The fishermen complain of the quantity 

 of fish which the otter destroys. Trout are 

 found dead on the rocks; salmon are there bitten 

 in the shoulder, but only partially eaten. The 



