io 4 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



little people are hurrying backwards and forwards, 

 those going towards the nest have burdens, such 

 as small flies, beetles, pieces of larger flies, etc. One 

 is carrying another ant ; the prisoner struggles, but 

 is held fast, and others follow with more captives. 

 These have been out to wage war against another 

 colony and are returning victorious. Wasps are 

 hovering over the victors, and now and then pounce 

 on one and carry it off to feed the young larvae in 

 their own nest. Another butterfly dances, as it were, 

 along the bracken-fringed path, and flutters over 

 the hedge. Woodpeckers are calling all around ; 

 for this wood is a favourite retreat, and the lesser 

 spotted species is increasing here. Two kinds of 

 dragon-flies are darting up and down the path, ever 

 and anon settling on the stems or leaves of young 

 oak trees they seem to prefer these for some reason. 

 They watch all passing insects from their coign of 

 vantage, and then dart at one, pick it up. and return to 

 another halting-place. A hornet with a deep hum 

 also hovers near me, watching its prey, but the next 

 moment goes beyond the wood. Up a bracken 

 stalk a yellow underwing moth slowly crawls ; I only 

 just touch the fern and it drops down and feigns 

 death for nearly half an hour ; then it rises, and 

 settles high up on an oak branch. 



There is a curious noise behind meceuff ceuff, 

 and on turning round I see two inquisitive-looking 



