VIII 



MOONLIGHT AND DAYBREAK 



" Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-e-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo," 

 shouts out our old friend, the brown owl, 

 from the top of one of the great trees that 

 surround us, for this is his own special do- 

 main. Moonlight is beautiful at all times and 

 seasons ; but when a large wood, free from 

 stunted undergrowth, is lit up by the soft light 

 of a full moon, a network of light and shade 

 is seen above and below that could not be 

 seen elsewhere, for the light creeps along the 

 interlaced branches, looking like silver and 

 ebony. Before you have fully made out the 

 fitness of this comparison to your satisfaction, 

 some of the huge silver beeches come in the 

 range of light. The shadows from the limbs 

 and branches above chequer the boles, creep 

 down them, and over the carpet of fallen leaves ; 

 shadows softly moving ; at one time broken 

 up, then for a short space they are massed, 



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