WILD LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE DOWNS — THE ENTKENCHMEXT — WAYS OE LAEKS. HARES — A 

 COMBAT — HAPPINESS OF ANIMALS. ANTS — A LONG! JOTJENEY. 



The most commanding down is crowned with the grassy 

 mound and trenches of an ancient earthwork, from whence 

 there is a noble view of hill and plain. The inner slope of 

 the green fosse is inclined at an angle pleasant to recline 

 on, with the head just below the edge, in the summer sun- 

 shine. A faint sound as of a sea heard in a dream — a 

 sibilant ' sish, sish,' — passes aloug outside, dying away and 

 coming again as a fresh wave of the wind rushes through 

 the bennets and the dry grass. There is the happy hum 

 of bees — who love the hills — as they speed by laden with 

 their golden harvest, a drowsy warmth, and the delicious 

 odour of wild thyme. Behind the fosse sinks, and the 

 rampart rises high and steep — two butterflies are wheeling 

 in uncertain flight over the summit. It is only necessary 

 to raise the head a little way, and the cool breeze refreshes 

 the cheek — cool at this height while the plains beneath 

 glow under the heat. 



Presently a small swift shadow passes across — it is that 

 of a hawk flying low over the hill. He skirts it for some 



B 



