32 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



sunlight Insects are now congregating; very small ones it is true, 

 but all showing that the Spring is at hand. Here, perchance, 

 we may find a Sallow tree ; notice how beautifully the dark, 

 brown-red branches are laden with buds of pure silver ; nothing 

 is more delicate at this season. It interests us to stop awhile 

 and watch the gathering of the early crops of Watercress. How 

 hardened to the weather the pickers are; no cold appears too 

 biting for them as they cut and bunch the cress in the 

 icy-cold ditches. 



Of late, the weather has somewhat damped the ardour of 

 the Skylark, but on this glorious February morn he, together 

 with his near relation the Woodlark, trills a pleasing lay. The 

 Robins are now in full song again, and what a number of 

 them ! As I write these lines, a little Blue Tit has taken 

 up its station on my Victoria Plum tree. He is aiding me 

 considerably in the destruction of some obnoxious insect, or 

 its larvae, which is secreted in the buds or crevices of the 

 tree; but everyone does not look at the good birds do in 

 the same light as the Nature lover. 



The Bulbs are pushing through nicely, Violets have been out 

 some weeks in sheltered spots, and Dandelions the Sunflowers 

 of the Spring as the late James Cundall used to call them 

 are appreciated at this time. The Celandine, too, is out; it is 

 one of the first flowers to open its golden blossoms ; the 

 Woodruff is prized for its pale-green tints, as well as the many 

 varieties of Ivy and the leaves of the Blackberry bushes. The 

 Holly and the two last named, relieve the bare landscape 

 wonderfully during the second month. 



The Wood Pigeons are heard in yonder tall Fir trees. They 

 are mated now, and perhaps building ; they are early breeders. 

 The bright sun tempts some courageous Butterfly out of its 

 Winter retreat, probably the beautiful Brimstone variety meets 

 our eye, and we stand spell-bound for the moment, and ejaculate, 

 "Well! a Butterfly 1 " This is the season when the Tree Creeper, 

 the Nuthatch and the Green Woodpecker are seen to advantage 

 in the woods; beautiful indeed is their plumage against the 

 silver and golden lichens, as they traverse the tree trunks. 



The Song Thrush now pours out its fluty notes, and makes 

 one's heart jump again at the thoughts of Springtime. Why 



