Woodland Twilight. 75 



In front a tangled mass of bramble arched over 

 the dry ditch ; it was possible to see some distance 

 down the bank, for nothing grew on the top itself, 

 the bushes all rising from either side a peculiarity of 

 clay mounds. This narrow space was a favourite 

 promenade of the rabbits; they usually came out 

 there for a few minutes first, looking about before 

 venturing forth into the meadows. Except a little 

 moss, scarcely any vegetation other than underwood 

 clothed the bare hard soil of the mound ; and for this 

 reason every tiny aperture that suited their purpose 

 was occupied by wasps. 



They much prefer a clear space about the entrance 

 to their nests, affording an unencumbered passage : 

 there were two nests within a few yards of the ash. 

 Though so generally dreaded, wasps are really in- 

 offensive insects, never attacking unless previously 

 buffeted. You may sit close to a wasps' nest for 

 hours, and, if you keep still, receive no injury. 

 Humble-bees, too, congregate in special localities : 

 along one hedge half a dozen nests may be found, 

 while other fields are searched for them in vain. 



The best time to enter such a hiding-place is a 

 little before the sun sinks ; for as his beams turn red 

 all the creatures that rest during the day begin to stir. 

 Then the hares start down from the uplands and 



