190 A Greeyi Byeicay. 



to ripen red, and later black, nnder the sun. A larger 

 kind are found here and there — the children call them 

 dew-berries or jew-berries indifferently. Some of the 

 bramble leaves linger on a dull green all through the 

 winter. 



In the angle a narrow opening runs through be- 

 tween the two banks, which do not quite meet : it is 

 so overgrown with bramble and fern, convolvulus 

 and thorn, that unless the bushes were parted to look 

 in no one would suspect the existence of this green 

 tunnel, which on the other side opens on the ash 

 copse, where a shallow furrow (dry) joins it. This 

 tunnel is the favorite way and passage of the rabbits 

 from the copse out into the tempting pasturage of the 

 meadow ; through it too, now and then, a fox creeps 

 quietly. Rabbit-holes drill the bank everywhere, but 

 one near this green byeway is noticeable because of 

 its immense size. 



It must measure eighteen inches or nearly in di- 

 ameter at the mouth ; nor does it diminish abruptly, 

 but continues almost as large a yard or more inside 

 the bank. Spaniels will get right into such a ' bury,' 

 till nothing but the tail can be seen, and, if permit- 

 ted, stay there and dig and scratch frantically. They 

 would sometimes, perhaps, succeed in reaching the 

 prey were it not for the roots of thorn-bushes or trees 

 which cross the holes here and there like bars ; these 

 they cannot scratch through, but will bite and tear 

 with their teeth — coming out now and then to breathe 

 and shake the sand from their muzzles, then back 

 again with a whine of eager excitement, till presently, 

 in sheer exhaustion, they lie down at the mouth of 

 the cave and pant. This is not allowed if it is known ; 



