328 MY COUNTRY WANDERINGS 



there chance to be a cricket ground, beloved by 

 Earthworms and the like — it is more than probable 

 one may observe several Pied Wagtails running 

 hither and thither in their captivating and engag- 

 ing manner, picking up a tit-bit here and another 

 there, and then hurrying off in a jerky, undulat- 

 ing flight at the too near approach of a dangerous 

 and questionable field naturalist on the prowl! 



If in the vicinity of the park trees abound, 

 there, sure enough, you will get a glance at a 

 cautious Squirrel; or you may watch the short- 

 tailed Nuthatch and listen to the human-like 

 signal to his mate that danger is at hand. Here, 

 too, perchance, the Tree Creeper may be seen 

 scampering in curious, Squirrel-like attitudes 

 round the trunks and branches, or maybe one or 

 more of the three species of British Woodpeckers 

 will please the eye by a sight of their exquisite 

 plumage. At times one may light upon a Wood- 

 pecker — the Green and Great Spotted, especially 

 so — in the more open portion of the park-land, but 

 so soon as observed it will hie away in a most 

 curious, jerky flight to the nearest tree and 

 scamper round and round, peering at us as he 

 goes, until well out of danger. 



Emerging from the park and passing on down 

 the lane bordering the time-worn oak-fence which 

 encloses the park proper, the palings studded 

 with Mosses and Lichens of many hues, or em- 



