32 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



shows all that we desire to see. It is a fatal 

 mistake to trample round about the entrance- 

 hole of a badger, unless you mean to try and 

 dig him out ; for his nose is a keen one, and no 

 matter how gingerly you may step, the soles 

 pf your shoes will leave a taint behind, quite 

 enough to alarm him, and he will keep close 

 or bolt out another way. Like the bear, he 

 dashes in and out of cover at times with 

 marvellous rapidity. 



We have taken a four miles' walk over the 

 hills and through the woods of a morning, just 

 to look at the entrance-gate of his mansion, 

 and the same distance after six in the evening, 

 on the off-chance of seeing him leave it for the 

 fields of the coombe below. 



Over the hill from which the woods in the 

 vale below are looking like clouds of purple 

 shadows lost in the haze, and far away lies the 

 weald of Kent and Sussex we slip through 

 the fir-woods as quietly as possible. Kitten- 

 like mewings are heard and sharp snaps. The 

 sounds proceed from one or two breeds of long- 

 eared owls, and the snaps from their parents, 

 who are whetting up their bills in pleasant an- 

 ticipations of their forthcoming supper. From 

 the last of the firs, by a side-track, we gain the 



