The pliant wire had cut into
the scales and skin--he might have been safely left suspended over the
stream all day; but in the eagerness of the moment I was not satisfied
till I had him up on the mound.
We did not see much of Southlands, because the withy-beds were on the
lowest ground; but there were six jacks strung on a twisted withy when
we got back to the stunted oak and rested there tasting acid sorrel
leaves.
CHAPTER IV
EGG-TIME. A 'GIP'-TRAP
There is no sweeter time in the woods than just before the nesting
begins in earnest. Is it the rising sap that causes a pleasant odour to
emanate from every green thing? Idling along the hedgerows towards the
woodlands there may perchance be seen small tufts of white rabbit's fur
in the grass, torn from herself by the doe to form a warm lining to the
hole in which her litter will appear: a 'sign' this that often guides a
robber to her nest.
Yonder on the rising ground, towering even in their fall over the low
(lately cut) ash plantation, lie the giant limbs of the mighty oaks,
thrown just as they felt the quickening heat. The bark has been stripped
from the trunk and branches; the sun has turned the exposed surface to a
deep buff colour, which contrasts with the fresh green of the underwood
around and renders them visible afar.
When the oak first puts forth its buds the woods take a ruddy tint.
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