PREFACE 



IN this book are given notes and observations 

 on wild creatures that may be met with 

 in our woodlands. Some of them live 

 entirely in the woods, others use the trees as 

 home and headquarters, sallying forth from their 

 shelter into the open country, but all may be 

 ranked as inhabitants of forest and coppice. 

 That certain well-known birds and beasts are 

 not included is due to two reasons: several have 

 already been dealt with in my book Wild Creatures 

 of Garden and Hedgerow, and for many others 

 there was not space. To deal with all the birds 

 and mammals that may be met with in the woods 

 would need, not one, but many volumes. 

 However, the reader will find herein accounts 

 of a number of our " Woodland Creatures/' some 

 common and others uncommon, but all to me 

 equally interesting, for in fascination and charm 

 the wild life of the forest districts yields to none. 

 Scientific terms have been avoided as far as 

 possible, my aim being to give a plain account 

 in plain language, but, for the convenience of 

 those who wish for the Latin titles, a note has 

 been inserted at the end of each chapter, giving 



