XXXI V . PREFACE 



^S^rey skies drawn out from horizon to horizon ; — the Southern 

 Cross high overhead, and that mysterious Black Ck)ud ; — the 

 silent snows eternally bearing witness to the sky ; — the utter 

 desolation of the sea-shore ; — the gloom of the forest, startled 

 only by the crash of falling timber or the cry of Scytalopus ; — 

 the scent of the Calafate ; — the roar and rattle and swish of the 

 wind ; — the plaintive quavering neigh of the Guanaco ; — the 

 gaggle of the Greese ; — the harsh screams of the Tero-Tero ; — 

 the silvery ''^ Pi-yi^^ of the Oyster-catcher ; — the wail of Eudro- 

 mias ; — the ''^ Tink-Tinh^^ of the Ibis ; — the petulant screech of 

 the Chimango ; — the way of the Burrowing Owl ; — the friendly 

 little Gentrites ; — the Short-eared Owl and the ilshy Harrier 

 beating the marshes together in daytime. 



Amidst this environment I see the forms of fellow Men, 

 with whom I cannot but associate generous Horses and faithful 

 Dogs, Men whom one came to meet only to part from as 

 quickly — 



(C 



Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing " 



— yet with whom, nevertheless, through mutual goodwill and 

 assistance freely offered and as freely accepted, a bond of 

 sympathy was constituted which can never be severed, even 

 though our paths may never converge at any future time. 



Memories of friends such as these are at once precious and 

 sad. If communion be possible between spirit and spirit in 

 mortal Man, they know how often they have place in my 

 thoughts, even as I hope and believe I have place in theirs. 



Leighton Buzzard 

 1907 



