54 Wild Life in a Southern County 



ment ; left to themselves they would speedily disappear, 

 and of course no angling could be thought of. 



On the opposite side of the range of hills, where they 

 decline in height somewhat, but still roll on for a great 

 distance, the contrary is the case. The springs that run 

 in that direction pass over a soil that gives a good clear 

 bottom, and gradually assume the character of rivers; 

 narrow, indeed, and shallow, but clear, sweet, and beautiful. 

 There, as you wander over the down, and push your way 

 through one of those extensive nut-woods which grow on 

 the hills, acres and acres of hazel bushes, suddenly you 

 come to the edge of a steep cliff, falling all but perpendicu- 

 larly, and lo ! at the foot is a winding river, bordered by 

 broad green meads dotted with roan-and-white cattle. 



Here in the season the angler may be seen skilfully 

 tempting the speckled trout. Across the meads a grove 

 of elm and oak, and the dull red of old houses dimly seen 

 between, and the low dark crenellated tower of a village 

 church. Behind the downs rise again, their slopes in 

 spring a mass of colour — green corn, squares of bright 

 yellow mustard, bright crimson trifolium, and brown 

 fallows. 



