HAMMER AND ANVIL 43 



bird was a young one, trying to imitate its 



parent. 



January 11, 1882. 



I think that the singing of the' blackbirds and 

 thrushes is exceptionally fine here. Perhaps it is 

 because there are no nightingales to rival them 

 and put them out of countenance. I remember 



THlilSH UliKAKIXfi SNAILS 



it was the same in Leicestershire, where also there 

 were no nightingales. Perhaps and more likely 

 because there is such a large provision of snails 

 for them in the old stone walls, and under the 

 lush foliage of this valley. Slugs also abound ; 

 but do they eat the slugs ? I fear not. 



A few days ago I turned over a piece of slate 

 that had been lying for some time in the kitchen 



