CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
By the same Author.
IANTO THE FISHERMAN
AND OTHER SKETCHES OF COUNTRY LIFE.
Illustrated with Photogravures. Large Crown 8vo.
The Times.—“The quality which perhaps most gives itsindividuality to the book is distinctive of Celticgenius.... The characters ... are touchedwith a reality that implies genuine literary skill.”
The Standard.—“Mr Rees has taken a place which isall his own in the great succession of writers whohave made Nature their theme.”
The Guardian.—“We can remember nothing in recentbooks on natural history which can compare withthe first part of this book ... surprising insightinto the life of field, and moor, and river.”
The Outlook.—“This book—we speak in deliberatesuperlative—is the best essay in what may becalled natural history biography that we haveever read.”
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
A BOOK OF WILD LIFE IN
WESTERN BRITAIN
BY ALFRED W. REES
AUTHOR OF
“IANTO THE FISHERMAN”
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
LONDON
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET
1905
MYFANWY AND MORGAN
Which, with slow sprout and shoot,
In the revolving world's unfathomed morrow,
Will blossom and bear fruit.”
Mathilde Blind.
PREFACE.
The Editors of The Standard have kindly permitted me to republish thecontents of this book, and I tender them my thanks.
The original form of these Studies of animal life has been extensivelyaltered, and, in some instances, the titles have been changed.
I am again greatly indebted to my brother, R. Wilkins Rees. His wide andaccurate knowledge has been constantly at my disposal, and in thepreparation of these Studies he has given me much indispensable adviceand assistance.
Similarity in the habits of some of the animals described has made aslight similarity of treatment unavoidable in certain chapters.
I may also remark that, in unfrequented districts where beasts and birdsof prey are not destroyed by gamekeepers, the hare is as much a creatureof the night as is the badger or the fox.
ALFRED W. REES.
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