256 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



foot of him ; then he will for a moment yell 

 out in terror as he rushes away. This has 

 happened more than once when I have been 

 camping in the woods. 



Much fuss has been made at times about the 

 influence exerted by some people over different 

 animals and birds ; yet this is one of the secrets 

 of woodcraft gained by watching the creatures 

 and making yourself acquainted with some of 

 their weak points. Kindness, patience, and 

 firmness will do much, but not all. Giving 

 them dainties in the shape of food is the real 

 key to the secret. 



Why should creatures risk their lives at times 

 to come into gardens from the woods and the 

 fields in the most reckless manner. It is not 

 hunger causes them to do this in the bright 

 summer-time, but their fastidious taste and 

 liking for the very best that man has raised 

 and watched for his own use. If the haunts 

 of the creatures are known, what is to prevent 

 a kind of keep-your-distance sort of acquaint- 

 ance from being made to begin with? If you 

 are wise enough to take some of their favourite 

 luxuries there to them, so that they can enjoy 

 their treat in peace, be very sure that what they 

 have found one day there they will look for it 



