U11IVERSIT1 



LETTER VIII 



Rainy Weather Blackbirds : their arrogance Superstition as to 

 German Bands Worms : their Spring Food Luminous 

 Worms Sparrow's Nest. 



1st June 1886. 



DEAR MARCO "A dripping June brings 

 all in tune," though whether my neighbour 

 who began cutting his hay yesterday thinks 

 so is open to doubt. The birds seem to 

 like the rain, at least they sing incessantly 

 when it rains, especially thrushes and black- 

 birds. I am no great admirer of the black- 

 bird ; there is too much reiteration in his 

 song, and he has such self-assertive and 

 aggressive manners. When disturbed by a 

 cat or anything, he gives off a loud and in- 

 cessant " cheek-cheek-cheek," which serves 

 to spread the alarm all round. His boldness 

 is amazing ; when beneath the strawberry 



