TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER xiii 



JANUARY. Characteristics of the Season. Prevalence of Darkness. 

 Snows. Intense Frost. Snow-storms in the Mountains. Plea- 

 sures of the British Fireside. Miseries of the Poor. Continued 

 Frost. Immense destruction of Vermin, Birds, etc. at this sea- 

 son. Taking Larks at Dunstable. Bird-moping. Walking in 

 frosty weather. Glazed Frost, its dangerous effects. The Hoar 

 Frost, its beauty. Winter Flowers. Occasional intervals of 

 mild weather, its effect. Remarkable change of the Winter 

 Season. January, why so called by the Latins; its Saxon 

 name. Physical defence of Plants from frost. The Throstle, 

 the Nuthatch. Reappearance of Worms and Slugs. Hedge- 

 sparrows, Thrush, and Blackbird sing. Hens lay. Early 

 Lambs. Habits of various Birds. Rural Occupations. An- 

 gling. Migration of Birds. The Garden. Calendar of Garden 

 Flowers. Entomological Calendar. . * . 25 



FEBRUARY. Characteristics. Wet. Great Thaw. Damps. Winds. 

 Storm on the Coast. Symptoms of Spring. February, its name. 

 Habits of Birds, etc. Budding of Trees. Dissected Leaves. 

 Moles, and Mole-catchers. Rural Occupations. Angling. Mi- 

 gration of Birds. Calendar of Garden Flowers. Botanical and 

 Entomological Calendars. . . . . ._ -^ 58 



LAYS OF THE SEASONS, No. 1, Spring. . . . ' . v 72 



