NATURE IN AUGUST. 



II. 



Alas, the Cuckoo has departed some little time and most 

 birds are now silent. Parental cares and trials are over, and 

 the young broods can be seen in the fields and lanes, accom- 

 panied in many instances by the parent birds. 



The only birds which appear to feel a pleasure in uttering a 

 few notes at this time are the Tits, but it is a constrained sort 

 of utterance, and most birds are mute, save perhaps a Lark now 

 and then, or a few chirping Sparrows. The important work is 

 over, and the feathered tribe are taking a well-earned rest, and 

 unless particularly observant it is somewhat difficult for one to 

 see any signs of bird life at this season. All Nature is hushed, 

 not a leaf moves, and only the spanking of threshing machines 

 and the clanking of the reaper's sickle is to be heard. August 

 appears to be the climax of the seasons it is a kind of go- 

 betweenbut it is a month which forcibly reminds us of the 

 wonderful effected workings, and works, of Nature. 



In a past essay I observed that the Corn was well up, and 

 that we might look forward with joy and hope for the harvest. 

 Now the harvest itself is passed, and we begin to look forward 

 to yet another season, and another harvest. The landscape 

 has changed considerably; where some few weeks ago was a 

 glorious patch of green, is now a sun-dried patch of light straw- 

 coloured brown, and so on, but the foliage on the trees has 

 yet to age before assuming the golden and russet brown garb 

 of Autumn. Sometimes this is very prolonged, and at others, 

 it seems to be somewhat premature. 



Did the reader ever notice the loveliness of the common 

 wild flowers to be met with at this season? They are to be 

 found in abundance, and a nosegay of many colours may soon 

 be gathered. The drooping Hare-bells by the scorched road-side 



