10 HAMPSHIRE DAYS 



lower end of the cleft full of thickened sap he too 

 began feeding on it. The hornet, who was at the 

 upper end of the cleft, quite four inches apart from 

 the vole, at once stopped eating and regarded the 

 intruder for some time, then advanced towards him 

 in a threatening attitude. The vole was frightened 

 at this, starting and erecting his hair, and once or 

 twice he tried to recover his courage and resume his 

 feeding, but the hornet still keeping up his hostile 

 movements, he eventually slipped quietly down and 

 hid himself at the roots. When the hornet departed 

 he came out again and went to the sap. 



Wishing to see more, I spent most of that day and 

 the day following at the spot, and saw hornet and 

 vole meet many times. If the vole was at the sap 

 when the hornet came he was at once driven off, 

 and when the hornet was there first the vole was 

 never allowed to feed, although on every occasion he 

 tried to do so, stealing to his lower place in the 

 gentlest way in order not to give offence, and after 

 beginning to feed affecting not to see that the other 

 had left off eating, and with raised head was regarding 

 him with jealous eyes. 



Rarely have I looked on a prettier little comedy in 

 wild life. 



But to return to the house. There was quite a 

 happy family at that spot by the back door where 

 the hornets were. A numerous family of shrews 

 were reared, and the young, when they began ex- 



