Front matter

“For dear Father with Grant’s love.”

MOORLAND IDYLLS

BOOKS BY GRANT ALLEN.

The Evolutionist at Large. Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 6s.

Post-Prandial Philosophy. Crown 8vo, art linen, 3s. 6d.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s. 6d. each; post 8vo, illustrated

boards, 2s. each.

Philistia.

Babylon. With 12 Illustrations.

Strange Stories. With Frontispiece.

The Beckoning Hand.

For Maimie’s Sake.

In all Shades.

The Devil’s Die.

This Mortal Coil.

The Tents of Shem. With Frontispiece.

The Great Taboo.

Dumaresq’s Daughter.

The Duchess of Powysland.

Blood Royal.

Ivan Greet’s Masterpiece.

The Scallywag. With 24 Illustrations.

Crown 8vo, cloth extra, 3s. 6d. each.

At Market Value.

Under Sealed Orders. [Shortly.

Dr. Palliser’s Patient. Fcap. 8vo, cloth boards, 1s. 6d.

London: CHATTO & WINDUS, Piccadilly.

MOORLAND IDYLLS

BY

GRANT ALLEN

AUTHOR OF “THE EVOLUTIONIST AT LARGE.”

LONDON

CHATTO & WINDUS, PICCADILLY

1896

TO A. L. B.

FROM G. A. AND N. A.

CONTENTS.

page

I.The Night-jar1

II.Prophetic Autumn10

III.Our Winged House-fellows17

IV.A Neighbourly Gossip26

V.A Rabbit of the World33

VI.The Adder’s Siesta42

VII.A Flight of Quails49

VIII.In Leafless Woods58

IX.A Butterfly Episode65

X.The Frozen Pond74

XI.The Gnarled Pine-tree81

XII.Ivy in the Copse90

XIII.A Desperate Struggle for Life97

XIV.Coltsfoot Flowers106

XV.A Heather Episode113

XVI.The Chrysalis Year122

XVII.A Summer Stroll129

XVIII.A Moorland Fire138

XIX.The Arcadian Donkey145

XX.A Life-and-Death Struggle153

XXI.The Shrike’s Larder160

XXII.Nests and No Nests167

XXIII.The Crouch Oak176

XXIV.A Spotted Orchis183

XXV.The Root of the Matter192

XXVI.The Devil’s Punchbowl199

XXVII.The Lark in Autumn207

XXVIII.The Squirrel’s Harvest215

XXIX.A Drained Fishpond223

XXX.An Interview with a Cock-sparrow230

XXXI.The Green Woodpecker237

XXXII.The Harebell244

XXXIII.The Untamable Shrew251

Moorland Idylls