PREFACE. 



IT has been my aim in the various essays included in this 

 volume to write in as simple and unpretentious a manner as 

 possible, and to describe as it seemed to strike me that which 

 I have seen and heard in, or know of, the Natural History 

 world. 



I have not tried to cultivate any literary style or artistic 

 merit, and it would indeed surprise me to learn that I in any 

 way possess either of these accomplishments. 



I have endeavoured to paint Nature as it is, without adding 

 any high colours to the picture, or exaggerating the various 

 characters displayed. Common things that are too generally 

 overlooked in these days receive our consideration, and I hope 

 I am right in believing that the most indifferent observer will 

 find something of interest in the various articles and illustrations 

 contained in this work. Sir Edward Grey once stated that he 

 was continually hearing people say the country was dull, but 

 he thought that if they would take notice of the things : around 

 them interest would be at once awakened, and I for one can 

 vouchsafe that the result would be most gratifying. 



To the three gentlemen who are responsible for the photo- 

 graphic illustrations in this volume all lovers of Nature will, I 

 believe, feel deeply indebted. They have taken great pains with 

 their work, and I have little doubt that their studies from 

 Nature and Still Life will be much appreciated and admired. 

 The photographs from Still Life by Mr. Webster are, it should 

 be stated, from groups in the Grosvenor Museum, Chester, 

 the painstaking and absolutely faultless work of Mr. Robert 

 Newstead, F.E.S., the Curator. 



The varying climatic conditions to which our Country is 



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