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