WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



countless numbers, scurry into the woods as we 

 approach. We can just discern the black ear 

 tips of a Hare as she nibbles the blades of corn, 

 which is now long enough to hide her body. 

 The Pee-Weeps are making a great noise, and 

 flying round the shepherd's dog, who is having a 

 quiet hunt on his own account amongst the rye- 

 grass that will soon be made into hay. He 

 disturbs a Landrail, which, flying a short distance 

 with legs hanging 

 down, drops and 

 runs. In a few 

 seconds we hear 

 his " crek-crek " at 

 the other end of 

 the field, but as 

 the bird is a bit 



of a ventriloquist, CORNCRAKE. 



he may not be so far away, or it may be 

 another bird calling. The Corncrake, if chased 

 until forced to fly, and again and again put 

 up, will run into the bottom of a hedge, or 



