NATURE IN MARCH. II. 51 



exquisite picture of an early nest of the Song Thrush which 

 was placed in a basket ; a more comfortable dwelling could 

 not be desired. 



The silver Sallow blossoms will soon burst out into gold, 

 assuring us that Eastertide is rapidly approaching. In the pond 

 by the wayside the Ducks and Geese are performing their 

 graceful natatory feats. A few Dorkings, and a giant Minorca 

 cock are grubbing and scratching at the edge of the pool, and 

 the Pied Wagtail searches near by for insects and their larvae. 



Ring Doves are gently cooing in the coppice yonder, which 

 monotone, mingled with the alarm cry of the artful, darting 

 Jay, and the cawing of busy Rooks, is to say the least curious. 

 The Rooks have young; the Rookery is alive with them, and 

 how thankful the farmer should be for a further stock of these 

 useful birds. 



Lapwings already paired off are flying by odd gesticulations 

 over the fallows; the Golden Plover is still in flocks, but the 

 Chaffinch has paired, and the shrill 'pink-pink' makes one 

 peep into the hedgerow and the bramble-bush on the chance 

 of finding the moss and lichen cup. 



Through a green lane on either side of us is a well- wooded 

 coppice we hear a gentle tapping. A Woodpecker, no, a Tit 

 on an oak diligently searching for the highly prized and luscious 

 insect. The Titmice are a most useful race, but even in this 

 enlightened age we have to lecture and preach to gardeners 

 and landowners as to the good birds do, and the protection 

 they need. 



These old fashioned green lanes are slowly giving place to 

 bricks and mortar. Where in our childhood was a gipsy encamp- 

 ment, with all the rural surroundings, is now the house and 

 grounds of some City magnate. To the lover of Nature, all 

 this is disheartening and depressing. 



The Rabbits disport themselves very freely by the side of 

 the wood, but are soon off into their runs when the hands 

 are clapped, a proceeding which also disturbs a Tree Creeper 

 who pokes his head round the corner of the tree to see who 

 is about. Not for all Klondike's gold would a true Naturalist 

 molest or harm this insectivorous little creature. 



There are not a great variety of birds inland just now, but 



