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Hillside. 



gazing at you most intently? Bright, steady and un- 

 wavering is that inquisitive stare all the while we remain 

 still, and do not further disturb it. Ah ! you have moved. 

 See ! Off like a flash goes the tiny brown creature, and it 

 dives with a rustle into the grass, and is soon out of sight. 

 Walk along the bank cautiously and quietly! There is 

 another looking at you with its bright, intelligent eye, as it 

 lies basking in the warmth of 

 the brilliant sun. You move 

 again ; there is another rustle, 

 another quick retreat, and you 

 soon lose sight of this one also. 

 Not quite lost this time, for 

 there it is again, stealthily 

 making its way towards that 

 hole under yon thorn bush. 

 Now it is gone altogether ! 



But we have not found out 

 much about the little creature 

 yet. We must watch one care- 

 fully. Sit down on the bank here, 

 and keep your eye on its hiding- 

 Fio. 36. THE COMM-JN place ! We sit perfectly still, and 



settles itself in the sun again, basking there in apparent 

 laziness and enjoyment. A fly settles near it. A sudden 

 dart, and the fly disappears, as if by magic, into the mouth 

 of the little lizard. If the lizard does look lazy and drowsy, 

 he certainly sleeps with rather more than one eye open. A 

 little caterpillar wriggles out of that twisted leaf, and by 

 means of a little silken thread lets itself down to the ground. 



