IN A WELSH VALLEY 193 



of which we could generally obtain a view by going 

 cautiously to look for them. Their large round 

 eyes would look down at us reproachfully from the 

 upper branches, and their large round bodies would 

 sooner or later remove noisily to a less visible perch. 

 I got the impression that, nocturnal though they be, 

 brown owls can see quite well enough in the day 

 time to serve all their necessities. 



In the roadway before the inn door commonly 

 strutted an important turkey cock. I was privi- 

 leged to behold this bird in two sets of circumstances 

 of delightful contrast. A little lady emerged from 

 the inn one day. She wore a red tie, but had about 

 her no other sign of fierceness or offence. Suddenly 

 across the road came a resonant gobble, and the 

 big bird came purposefully from the farmyard, 

 giving his opinion as he came. " What a funny 

 bird," was the amused greeting he received, as he 

 stalked majestically on. Amusement, however, 

 gave place to hesitation, for he came closer and 

 closer, and his gobbling waxed louder and louder. 

 And the next thing was a vision of flying skirts the 

 red tie and its wearer were gone, and the turkey 

 was alone in his glory. 



On the other occasion from out the door came not 

 a lady, but an eight-weeks-old black spaniel puppy. 

 This waddling atom saw the dignified bird but two 

 yards away. To see was to act, and we had the 



