| [THE BROWN HARE.] | |
| I. | |
| THE UPLAND CORNFIELD. | |
| Midsummer—The leveret's birth—First wanderings—Instinct and teaching—The “creeps”—In the stubble—Habits change with seasons—The “sweet joint” of the rye—Lessons from a net and a lurcher—Rough methods—The man-scent—On the hills above the river-mists | [241-260] |
| II. | |
| MARCH MADNESS. | |
| March winds—Reckless jack-hares—Courtship and rivalry—Motherhood—A harmless conflict—An intruding fox—The faithless lover—Maternal courage—The falcon's “stoop”—The “slit-eared” hare—Countryside superstitions—On the river island—Patience rewarded—The hare as a swimmer—Bloodless sport—Habits of the hare in wet weather—The “form” in the root-field—Bereavements—Increasing caution— Productiveness in relation to food—A poacher's ruse | [261-277] |
| III. | |
| THE CHASE. | |
| The basset-hound—Mirthful and dignified—A method of protecting hares—A suggestion—Formidable foes—“Fouling” the scent—A cry of distress—The home in the snow-drift—The renegade cat—An inoffensive life—A devastating storm | [278-291] |
| [THE BADGER.] | |
| I. | |
| A WOODLAND SOLITUDE. | |
| Haunts of a naturalist—Why certain animals are unmolested—Means of security—Fear of dogs and men—A place of interest—The “nocturnal” instinct—Droll revelry—Serious pastimes—Teaching by reward and punishment—Animals study the disposition of their young—Voices of the wilderness | [293-309] |
| II. | |
| HOME DISCIPLINE. | |
| Unwelcome attentions—An old badger's watchfulness—A clever trick—A presumptuous youngster—Instructions in selfishness—Harsh measures—The badger and the stoat—A long ramble | [310-324] |
| III. | |
| FEAR OF THE TRAP. | |
| Wisdom in Nature's ways—The laggard of the family—A salutary lesson—Hand-scent and foot-scent—An old Welsh law—The lesson of a “double” scent—The sorrel as medicine—A wild bees' nest—“In grease” | [325-339] |
| IV. | |
| THE WINTER “OVEN.” | |
| The vixen and the hounds—The wounded rabbit—Old inhabitants of the wood—In touch with enemies—Twilight romps—Brock's quarrel with his sire—A bone of contention—Prompt chastisement—A mournful chorus—Wild fancies of a bachelor—A big battle—The terror of the flock—Unwarranted suspicion—Caught in the act | [340-356] |
| V. | |
| HILLSIDE TRAILS. | |
| The backward “drag”—Loyalty tested—A spiteful spouse—Spring cleaning—Carrying litter to the “set”—A numerous family—An eviction—Vulpicide—Important news—Old traditions of sport revived—A long day's toil—The secret history of a “draw”—An old burrow | [357-373] |
| [THE HEDGEHOG.] | |
| I. | |
| A VAGABOND HUNTER. | |
| The nest in the “trash”—Quaint wildlings—Neighbours and enemies—A feast—Spines and talons—The gipsy boy—A vagabond's sport—The nest in the wild bees' ruined home—Insects killed by frost—Winter quarters of the lizard and the snail | [377-391] |
| II. | |
| AN EXPERIENCE IN SNAKE-KILLING. | |
| An iron winter—March awakening—A coat of autumn leaves—The Rip Van Winkle of the woods—Sunshine and strength—Faulty eyesight—The hedgehog and the viper—Worsting an enemy—The moorhen's nest—Antics of weasels and snakes—The hedgehog's bleat—Odd and awkward courtship | [392-406] |
| [NIGHT IN THE WOODS.] | |
| I. | |
| HAUNTS OF THE BADGER AND THE FOX. | |
| Wild life at night—Long watching—A “set” with numerous inhabitants—The vixen and her cubs—Tolerant badgers—Vigilance—A moorland episode—“Chalking the mark”—Fox-signs—A habit of voles and rabbits—Patience, in vain—Sulky badgers—The vixen's lair—Foxes at play | [407-426] |
| II. | |
| THE CRAG OF VORTIGERN. | |
| Difficulties of night watching—Powers of observation in wild creatures—Night wanderers dislike rain—Eager helpers—A tempting invitation—Cry of young owls—Philip, the silent watcher—The fern-owl's rattle—The leaping places of the hare—Night gossip—The meaning of the white and black markings on a badger's head—The secrets of the cave | [427-443] |
| [ Index] | [445-448] |
FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
From Drawings by
Florence H. Laverock.
| “THE BROAD RIVER, IN WHICH SHE HAD SPENT HER EARLY LIFE.” See p. 50 | [Frontispiece.] | |
| “AN OPPORTUNITY CAME, WHICH, HAD SHE BEEN POISED IN THE AIR, COULD SCARCELY HAVE BEEN MISSED.” | To face p. | [88] |
| “THE BIG TROUT, IN HIS TORPEDO-LIKE RUSH TO CUT OFF BRIGHTEYE FROM SURE REFUGE.” See p. 105 | ” ” | [104] |
| “SHE WAS HOLDING ONE OF HER OFFSPRING BY THE NECK, IN PREPARATION FOR FLIGHT.” See p. 139 | ” ” | [138] |
| “HE RETIRED TO A ROCKY FASTNESS ON THE WILD WEST COAST.” | ” ” | [238] |
| “WHEN THE EARLY AUTUMN MOON ROSE OVER THE CORN.” | ” ” | [290] |
| “HE CLIMBED FROM HIS DOORWAY, AND STOOD MOTIONLESS, WITH UPLIFTED NOSTRILS, INHALING EACH BREATH OF SCENT.” | ” ” | [364] |
| “AS HE MEASURED HIS FULL LENGTH AGAINST THE TREE.” See p. 419 | ” ” | [418] |