NATURE IN FEBRUARY. 



AFTER the wind and rain lately experienced it was quite 

 refreshing to take a ramble in the glorious February sunshine. 

 On these bright sunny mornings the Beetles begin to stir about ; 

 we have seen them a foot or so down when digging in the 

 garden this last few weeks, but now they are on top. The 

 hedgerows are bursting into the pale green flush of Spring; 

 the tassels of the Nut Hazel are coming along fast ; they will 

 soon be full of rich golden pollen, which the winds of March - 

 fanned by the hand of Nature blow into the female blossom, 

 and fertilization is perfected. 



Creeping along in the hedgerow, in amongst the twisted 

 Honeysuckle stems, which now bear delicious green patches at 

 the ends, the nimble little Wren may be seen preening his 

 feathers. Who would have the heart to injure such a delicate 

 little creature, such a harmonious songster? The English Scurvy 

 Grass is abundant, and so is the Coltsfoot; the leaves of the 

 latter will appear next month, but it is already well above 

 ground. How beautiful the Kingfisher looks at this season, 

 when Nature, more or less, is barren 1 



By the side of the streamlet the waters glistening in the 



