A BELATED CARRION CROW 9 



jet-black eyes, being apparently quite unable to 

 understand why such an intruder as I should be 

 there at all. Advancing cautiously he sniffed at 

 my boots, looked up at me again, and then retired 

 slowly, then stopped once more and took another 

 glance, and finally leisurely entered the under- 

 growth. 



Suddenly the woods echoed with a loud, wild 

 cry, kaarr. A Carrion-Crow late in coming home 

 to roost spied me below. The effect of his harsh 

 note of alarm was instantaneous ; a Blackbird 

 near loudly uttered his rattling cry, which others 

 at once answered ; and birds roosting in the 

 bushes were startled, as one realised by a loud 

 rustling which was heard all round as they 

 fluttered 'on their perches. These all soon once 

 more settled down, however ; and a White Owl 

 flew overhead towards the valley, and then once 

 more quietness reigned. 



But at length the stillness was again broken, 

 and this time the woods become melodious with 

 other notes, the song of the Nightingale, whose 

 beautiful, flute-like notes excelling in their charm 

 all artificial music, seemed to hush all rival sounds 

 until the woods and their inhabitants seemed to be 

 according him their admiration. Singing softly, 

 at first, as it were, being almost afraid of awaken- 



