THE HAKE AND THE LAWYERS 51 



cautious reconnoitre at the edge of the plantation in 



which she has found a safe asylum. For a moment 

 she halts as if undecided what course to adopt. To 

 spring across the mossy bank which lies between the 

 cover and the hayfield would only be the work of a few 

 seconds ; but she dreads the enactment of a tragedy. 

 Her timidity is short-lived. Hunger sharpens the 

 appetite. Gathering boldness, she emerges from her 

 retreat in one quick, nervous leap. Nor is she 

 bound upon an uncertain course. Forthwith she 

 steers her way to a cherished nook, where, once 

 arrived, she may crop sweet grass and luscious clover 

 to her heart's content, surrounded by her natural 

 mates. Meantime she is content to steal noiselessly 

 across the broad acres that divide her pastures from 

 her still warm bed, watching furtively every gap and 

 corner, anxious to reach the haven for which she has 

 set out unnoticed by any of her enemies. Foumarts 

 are now rare in most parts of the country. They feed 

 upon frogs and small birds. Rabbits are acceptable 

 to them, but I doubt if they kill many hares. Weasels 

 and stoats are mischievous to young leverets, but a 

 fox w411 stalk a hare of any size, though he is not 

 particular how he fares, and will readily feed on a 

 dead rat. 



In this country the larger birds of prey have become 



E 2 



