182 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



For hours we have watched squirrels making" 

 up their bundles to line their winter nests with. 

 Even here, with Master Scug's care, matters do 

 not go right at times ; cleverly as his forehands 

 have made the bundle up, I have seen it slip. 

 Then the little fellow would show temper in 

 utter amazement that such a mishap could take 

 place ; up went his ear-tufts and his tail, but 

 only for a few moments ; with stamps and 

 scolding chatter he dashed here and there, 

 collecting his scattered treasure, and finally 

 carrying his bundle off into safety. 



The dormouse, although it does haunt and 

 hunt the nut-trees and bushes for there is a 

 very wide difference between the two will not 

 as a rule confine itself to them when the winter 

 nest is made. For if sloe-bushes or pickets are 

 in the hedgerow or on the copse banks, you 

 may look about the centre of them for it. If, 

 as is usually the case, the bushes are well laced 

 round with brambles of the most robust and 

 thorny nature, the chances of a capture will be 

 slight ; he may be drowsy, but he is not asleep 

 yet far from it. 



With the greatest care you find that your 

 hands are scratched severely, and that matters 

 are not quite pleasant about your legs, but 



