1. Violence, cruelty, and killing are viewed with disapproval in Hudson's work, yet some forms of killing animals are accepted. Discuss the distinctions, centering on the episodes of the owl and the pigeons, the gauchos' slaughtering of cattle, the death of the young officer, Hudson's own hunting, and the killing of the frogs.

2. The gauchos live by a code of conduct foreign to Hudson and his family.

Explain their code and Hudson's reaction to it.

3. Hudson's account of his visit to Buenos Aires reflects his tendency to recall the unusual. Discuss his unusual observations and experiences there.

4. How are the dangers of the city contrasted to those of the country?

5. Hudson occasionally formulates theories to account for animal appearance or behavior. Discuss his theory about the strange black snake and the short-eared owl.

6. Outside events seemingly have little influence on the Hudsons' ranch life. As...