30 WILD FLOWERS OF SCOTLAND 



A blue mist steals over the bank running down to 

 the stream. There is a sheen through the under- 

 growth, as of beauty in hiding. 



It is an April day, somewhat past the middle of 

 the month, between the leafing of the sloe and the 

 blossoming of the hawthorn. The walk across the 

 country by the bursting hedgerows was delightful. 

 A sky broken with clouds, the fields with shadows, 

 and a sun warm enough to make the shelter of 

 trees grateful. Just the day when one has only 

 to step into the shade to be cool, and out into 

 the sunshine to be warm: when one cheek is in 

 the pleasant sunshine, and the other in the cool 

 shadow. 



On the way, the birds were alert and busy. The 

 gush of song on either hand was incessant, ever 

 breaking out afresh and ahead, as if I were passing 

 along a lane bordered on either side by melody; or, 

 rather, through an arch, of which the lark's song 

 was the highest part. Flashes of fresh colour 

 appeared for a moment, as the greenfinch passed 

 from tree to tree, and the yellow-hammer from 

 hedge to hedge. Beauty as well as melody 

 bordered and arched the lanes. One cannot mis- 

 take the presence of spring in April. 



The dry slope of woodland bank is inviting. 



