66 THE STUDY OF ANIMAL LIFE 



to make up the living community of a distinct 

 environment of the country-side. He, in his little 

 way — insignificant, but nevertheless intensely in- 

 teresting, even if ostracised from the picture, and 

 considered on his own, as it were — helps to make 

 one of many colours, which, when all are blended 

 together, result in one living picture, but, if 

 separated, each colour is nothing but a meaning- 

 less daub. 



The Value of Studying Environment. — One may 

 take a hedge, a pond, a wood, a meadow, a stream^ 

 a common, a country lane; an acre, a square yard, 

 or even less, the result is, if studied aright, one 

 living picture in each particular environment. 

 Here is the Hedge I know. What is there, and 

 why is it there ? What does it convey to one, and 

 how did it come there ? Let us search out its 

 inhabitants, its birds, and mammals, and insects, 

 and flowers* All are there for a purpose; many, 

 it is obvious, are absolutely dependent one upon 

 the other. Looked at thus, and studied closely 

 and intelligently, the hedge becomes a really 

 wonderful place, and by concentrating attention 

 in the manner indicated, a remarkable living 

 picture is soon presented, which cannot fail to 

 reveal a fund of wonder and delight, and will 

 assuredly open the way to what may be justly 

 regarded as real Nature Study. 



