25 



THE ROE. 



Cerrus capreolus, Linn. 

 PAET FIRST. 



If, when the sun has gone down behind the distant hills, 

 you happen to be strolling quietly near the skirts of 

 a wood bordered by cornfields, you may probably see, 

 standing among the nodding golden ears, a group of 

 animals, slender and delicately formed as an antelope. 

 Maybe you are not alone, and then your glowing words, 

 though softly whispered, will hardly be low enough to 

 prevent those watchful creatures yonder from catching 

 their sound. See ! each pretty head is suddenly raised, 

 and turned inquiringly towards you ; the finely-pointed 

 ears are pricked up and motionless ; and in the large, 

 bright, lively eye is an expression of wonderment and 

 fear. Stand very still and watch them. Not knowing 

 what to make of the apparition that has thus approached 

 the wheat-field on that placid evening, one will utter a 

 harsh sound indicative of alarm, and then, as a spoiled 

 child might do, mil stamp on the ground in seeming 



