NATURE IN FEBRUARY. 37 



On our homeward way we may see an Owl commencing its 

 night-prowls, or meet the ruddy-faced farm labourer, bag on 

 shoulder, trudging along whistling and singing, happy and con- 

 tented. In the cottage which nestles so gently in the distance, 

 a strapping English lass awaits him perhaps with a basin of 

 good wholesome broth; probably that is the reason he sings 

 the words which are wafted towards us by the soft and almost 

 silent breezes, 



1 1 will come home again.' 



