NATURE IN MAY. 



ALL the Summer visitors have arrived; the late comers such 

 as the Swift, Marsh Warbler, Quail, Corncrake, and Nightjar 

 are now amongst us. Even in " Merrie May" the wind still 

 blows keen, though the sun is daily making its presence the 

 more felt. 



Now that the Migrants have all made their appearance, the 

 rambler looks and listens at every likely spot. From that belt 

 of woodland the cry of " Cuckoo" comes pleasantly, and over 

 the topmost twigs of yonder hedge we look for the Greater 

 Whitethroat. Towards the end of the month we may find its 

 snug little nest in the recesses of the copse, a thick bramble 

 bush, perhaps. It would be a shame to rob such a delicate 

 songster of one single egg. 



The Sycamore seems almost more beautiful than when we 

 last wrote. Secreted somewhere in the topmost branches we 

 hear the Chaffinch sing. Straining our eyes we are amazed to 

 see a male bird, of a buff colour. I have seen them inclining 

 to albinism before, but very rarely, and then never in their 

 natural wild state. 



This is the season of the Greater Stitchwort; it is more 

 prominent than the Lesser variety. So, too, is the Laburnum 

 in its beauty now, the chains hanging suspended like so many 

 golden butterflies. But what of the Hawthorn blossom? Mention 

 must be made of it, or our essay will be far from complete. 

 It is very often not in blossom by the first of the month; 

 in some sheltered spots the beautiful snow-white blossoms will 

 first be seen. The May girls come badly off in a late Summer, 

 for the season being so backward wild flowers are not very 

 abundant. 



Crossing a green meadow we step across a Slow Worm ; 

 harmless, innocent creature. It is called the Blind Worm, but 

 it is far from blind; just watch its bright eyes. Persecuted by 



