CONTENTS. XI 



fares and Redwings. Occasional fine days. First appearance 

 of Winter. Frost and Snow. Amusements in Snow. Fireside 

 employments in farm-houses and cottages. Bird-catching. 

 Singing Birds in cages, selfishness of the practice. Daily 

 Wayfarers. November, its name. Moles retire to their nests. 

 Salmon ascend the rivers. Attention requisite for Bees and 

 Pigeons. Various animals seek their winter retreats. Birds'- 

 nests occupied by Mice. Rural Occupations. Angling. Mi- 

 gration of Birds. Calendar of Garden Flowers. . . 304 



LAYS OF THE SEASONS, No. 4, Winter 326 



DECEMBER. Description of Winter by Gawain Douglas. Deso- 

 late aspect of Nature. Disappearance of many varieties of 

 living things. Men resort to towns and to their houses. Fami- 

 lies collected. The Author and his literary labours. Beauty 

 of Winter. Moonlight and starry skies, they inspire solemn 

 feelings and ideas. Concluding remarks. December, its name. 

 Evergreens. Winter Fruit. Rural Occupations. Angling. 

 Calendar of Garden Flowers. Migration of Birds. All Sea- 

 sons welcome. ........ 330 



