VITI PREFACE. 



subject make it practically impossible to set on record at a 

 given time., and with any degree of certainty, all the sights 

 and sounds in Nature's vast arena, and one must allow some 

 latitude for their vagaries. And then again, on such a wide 

 subject as Nature any work must necessarily be limited. 



Many characteristics which I have included in a certain 

 Month's essays may, for these very reasons, not be forthcoming 

 at the time given, or even at all, but lovers of the country 

 have the satisfaction of knowing that if Nature fails them in 

 one direction new scenes appear of never failing interest and 

 pleasure. 



Many of the illustrations have no direct reference in the 

 text, but this does not detract in any way from their worth as 

 they are sufficiently true to Nature to require no comment. 



The rush and tear of present day life only allows us to sip, 

 rather than drink, at Nature's sweet fountain, but, as Long- 

 fellow says, 



'If thou art worn and hard beset 

 With sorrows that thou wouldst forget, 

 If thou wouldst read a lesson that will keep 

 Thy heart from fainting and thy soul from sleep, 

 Go to the woods and hills! No tears 

 Dim the sweet look that Nature wears.' 



ST. ALBANS. HERTS. W. PERCIVAL WESTELL. 



August, 1900. 



The Publisher has to acknowledge the courtesy of the following in allowing 

 various articles written by the Author for the publications named, to be included, 

 with slight revision, in this volume: 



Messrs. George Newnes, Ltd, Proprietors of 'The Wide World Magazine:' The 

 Fancier's Newspaper and General Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd., Proprietors 

 of 'Fur and Feather:' The Royal Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 

 Proprietors of 'The Animal World:' Messrs. Gibbs & Bamforth, Proprietors of 'The 

 Herts Advertiser:' The Bedfordshire Publishing Co., Proprietors of 'The Beds 

 Times:' and The Beds Standard Co. Ltd., Proprietors of 'The Beds Standard.' 



