10 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



are securely secreted in all sorts of out-of-the-way places, and 

 Nature is working slowly but surely towards the perfection 

 which our various monthly sketches will, if followed carefully, 

 clearly show. The glued-up crevices in which these eggs are 

 placed is a striking example of insect intelligence. 



Writing of Moths, it may be interesting to state that about 

 two thousand different kinds are known to exist in Britain. 



The Screw Moss and the Siller Cup Moss deserve special 

 mention during the first month of the year, as they are then so 

 beautiful. 



Manure carting and distribution on the land takes place 

 during this month, and the Mangolds and Swedes may be seen 

 being cut up in the vicinity of the farmyard, or adjoining the 

 Sheep-folds. Around the farmyard the Sparrows and other 

 Finches may be seen, as well as various Buntings, including 

 possibly our Winter visitor the Snow Bunting. 



As to the flowers of January, the Gorse is often in bloom 

 during this month, and even the Celandine may be found out 

 in sheltered spots. This latter is commonly called the Hedge 

 Buttercup. Others which may be looked for are the Blue Peri- 

 winkle, Shepherd's Purse, the Red Dead Nettle, Groundsel and 

 the Chickweed. The common Polypody Fern may also be seen, 

 as well as the Annual Meadow Grass. 



The Fox carries on his depredations amongst the farmer's 

 poultry just about now; the Polecat still exists and may 

 perchance be met with. It supplies an interesting addition to 

 our Fauna, as also the Stoat and the Shrew. 



The Spruce Fir is a study during January, and from out of 

 the branches we may startle a flock of Bramblings Winter- 

 visitors from the far North of our Island. 



Gnats may be observed by the water, and, on the large 

 sheets of water in the South, many Sea birds may be seen. 



In the vicinity of some reservoirs in a Home County, I 

 have noticed during this month such visitors as Terns, Gulls, 

 Mergansers, Redshanks, Greenshanks, Curlews, Whimbrels, Shel- 

 drakes, Sandpipers, Goosanders, Scoters, Shovellers, Divers, 

 Dunlins, Gadwalls, Garganeys, Pochards, Cormorants, and many 

 another rara avis which affords the Recorder to the County 

 Natural History Society much pleasure, as such an important 



