SUMMER VOICES. 41 



So quiet at times are these open spots, that a 

 beetle can be heard running or crawling over the 

 dead leaves. When the sun dips down, then is 

 the time to hear summer voices and to see the 

 various creatures that they proceed from. 



Some are impelled by the power given them by 

 their Creator to sing their song of thanksgiving 

 for daily life and provender before the night falls. 

 Others that live and move when other species 

 rest, are ready now to begin their crepuscular 

 wanderings. Rabbits come out, and stoats also. 

 From one old ash hollow, from three parts of its 

 length, strange sounds proceed — snoresj whines, 

 clicks, and hisses. A pair of white owls are just 

 waking up. Beetles drone up, and down, and 

 across the road, sometimes butting against you 

 with considerable force and falling at your feet. 

 Bats show, dashing about in their erratic flight. 

 Not that it is yet fairly evening ; but something 

 tells them that the day is drawing to a close. 

 The cows and the sheep are making for their ac- 

 customed summer resting-places for the night, the 

 bells of the leading animals tinkling pleasantly in 

 the distance. 



