A BROOK 53 



autumn, occasionally passes through holes in them. As 

 the spike grows it lifts the dead leaves with it, which 

 hold it like a ring and prevent it from unfolding. The 

 force of growth is not sufficiently strong to burst the 

 bond asunder till the green leaves have attained consi- 

 derable size. 



A little earlier in the year the chattering of magpies 

 would have been heard while looking for the signs of 

 spring, but they were now occupied with their nests. 

 There are several within a short distance, easily distin- 

 guished in winter, but somewhat hidden now by the 

 young leaves. Just before they settled down to house- 

 keeping there was a great chattering and fluttering 

 and excitement, as they chased each other from elm to 

 elm. 



Four or five were then often in the same field, some 

 in the trees, some on the ground, their white and black 

 showing distinctly on the level brown earth recently 

 harrowed or rolled. On such a surface birds are visible 

 at a distance ; but when the blades of the corn begin to 

 reach any height such as alight are concealed. In many 

 districts of the country that might be called wild and 

 lonely, the magpie is almost extinct. Once now and 

 then a pair may be observed, and those who know their 

 haunts can, of course, find them, but to a visitor passing 

 through, there seems none. But here, so near the 

 metropolis, the magpies are common, and during an 

 hour's walk their cry is almost sure to be heard. They 

 have, however, their favourite locality, where they are 

 much more frequently seen. 



Coming to my seat under the aspen by the bridge 

 week after week, the burdocks by the wayside gradually 

 spread their leaves, and the procession of the flowers 

 went on. The dandelion, the lesser celandine, the 



