AN ARCADIAN CALENDAR 



brake. Instantly the little warbler stopped its busy hunt- 

 ing, and in full voice jealously poured out a torrent of 

 wood- wild notes ; but the blackbird sang on undismayed. 



WOODLAND REVELLERS 



THE sight of a lively party of six squirrels at woodland 

 revels suggested that the thoughts of the 

 The young members were turning lightly to 



Squirrels love. In a mild Winter this may be the time 

 Fancy when the family party breaks up, having 

 kept together since the three or four 

 youngsters were born in the early Summer last year. It 

 was as pretty a woodland picture as could be seen of 

 wild animal life, as the squirrels chased one another 

 about the trees in highest spirits. The same breaking of 

 family links has been going on among the partridges, 

 who are always in high feather when their thoughts 

 turn lovewards: every gallant cock then spoils for a 

 fight, though it may be merely his own familiar sister 

 that he espouses. A cold spell quickly puts an end to 

 his courting ardour. 



BY RIVER AND POND 



TROUT may be cold-blooded, but are hot-headed 



courtiers at this season when spawning, 



Lovelorn savagely butting rivals and sending scales 



Trout flying from backs in battles in which the 



attacker always seems victor. But in more 



or less harmony the pairs select the beds wherein the 



female buries her eggs from three to six inches deep 



a thousand eggs for each pound weight of her body. 



Young trout, meantime, wait to devour eggs washed 



