208 NATURE IN DOWNLAND 



ture as the red admiral : he is one of a second brood, 

 and has come too late into his inheritance and will 

 not keep it long. For the rest you will see an occa- 

 sional common white, or a small heath ; or your sight 

 may be attracted by a spot of glowing colour on the 

 sunny side of a gorse bush a small copper with open 

 wings basking and bathing in the vital heat and light, 

 perhaps for the last time, before day comes to a chilly 

 end. 



Even these few survivors may not remain long; 

 the September sunshine is very sweet and pleasant to 

 behold, and may last many days ; but it is never con- 

 fidently looked for, and would not seem half so sweet 

 if it could be expected to last. After golden days the 

 grey come again, and the wind blows everlastingly; 

 the high hilltops are once more barren and bleak, and 

 you are glad to come into rough brambly places, *vhere 

 all wild winged life that has not been blown away has 

 hidden itself from the blast. But how little it is ! 

 Perhaps you will see a yellow-hammer rush out of its 

 hiding-place and perch on a bush-top near to see what 

 creature has disturbed it. There for a few moments 

 it will sit, swayed about, its feathers roughed, its long 

 tail blown over its back or to the side at right angles 

 with its body a picture of discomfort. You may 

 think that on such a day more may be seen by sitting 

 still in the shelter of a bush than by roaming; you 

 may sit for an hour, or for hours, and see nothing, and 

 hear nothing not an echo of any summer note. 



