MOONLIGHT AND DAYBREAK 209 



probably he will canter off towards the spot 

 whence the crowing proceeds, whilst at the 

 same time his sensitive nose and fine ears will 

 inform him if any creature is handy for him 

 to interview as he travels along. Predaceous 

 creatures have to work hard at times for their 

 food ; for, if they are gifted with organs of de- 

 struction, those that they prey on are equally 

 gifted with the organs of self-preservation. 



The soft light fades slowly, lights and 

 shadows mingle for a brief space, and then 

 the woods are one great mass of shadow, and 

 we pass, as quietly as it is possible for us to 

 do, up the main ride that runs through them. 

 This is one of the most stringent rules to be 

 observed, if you wish to be at peace with your- 

 self and other people move as quietly as you 

 can when studying nature at night. Avoid 

 all farms and lonely houses as you would the 

 plague, for large dogs of a courageous breed 

 are the guardians of the night there, and they 

 are loose. Quite apart from this, a footstep on 

 any road at night will cause dogs to challenge, 

 and thus disturb their masters. It is far more 

 satisfactory to go out in the wilds at night, 

 where you will not have any company but 

 your own. 



