128 NATURE AND WOODCRAFT. 



upon a jagged splinter. If a face of rock 

 intervene, and they cannot climb out to the 

 top of the crag, they turn to descend. But 

 here retreat is cut off. Sometimes they remain 

 in this position for days, eating whatever is 

 within reach, when one of two things happens. 

 Either they are rescued by the shepherds, who 

 are let down to them in ropes; or they fall 

 a prey to birds and foxes. The raven, the 

 peregrine, and the buzzard freely appreciate 

 the creatures' position, and await their chance. 

 Sometimes the birds so terrify the sheep, that in 

 its fright it makes one mad leap, and is dashed 

 to pieces as it descends the crag. Then the 

 raven hardly waits until death has come, but 

 immediately goes dallying round and round the 

 carcase, and soon falls to work upon brain, lip, 

 or palate. The peregrine feeds only so long as 

 the flesh is sweet, though the hill foxes and 

 carrion crows visit the spot for a week. 



Snow-lines are sketched along the stone 

 fences of the fells ; but this is all that remains. 

 Everything testifies to the coming of spring. 

 The foaming fell-becks sparkle in the sun, 

 and the climbing sheep are sprinkled over 

 the crags. A breadth of blue is overhead, and 



