NATURE IN AUGUST. II. 197 



results in the propagation of the trees enumerated. By the side 

 of the well-wooded coppice, in the rich brown soil, Foxgloves 

 abound ; Cow Parsnip is still as white as fragrant flakes of snow, 

 and the mauve-coloured and blue Corn Flowers contrast pleasingly 

 with the various lovely green and yellow tints of the young 

 Oak saplings. 



We stop and watch the busy scene that is taking place at 

 the Washbrook and congratulate the patient Sheep on the 

 manner in which they go through the washing process. 



The new mown hay in the well shaped hay-cocks smells 

 delicious, and around the farmyard pool a few Swallows and 

 Swifts still disport themselves. On a sort of waste common 

 are Thistles and other weeds in abundance. Here we find the 

 Goldfinch, if anywhere, and on the occasion of our visit we 

 flushed a beautifully marked Ring Dove, a Greenfinch, and a 

 few Linnets. 



Scentless Mayweed was here found, and the green foliage 

 had a special charm for me. I had never noticed it to such 

 perfection before. Underneath a Cherry tree, close to the 

 farmyard where the proud Chanticleer could be seen a young 

 Ass was enjoying himself, the smallest I ever saw. It was no 

 higher than a Collie Dog, and not much larger in proportion. 

 Simple and gentle is the English Ass, but treated in a very 

 inhuman manner by some people when requisitioned as a beast 

 of burden. Always be kind to dumb animals. If they do not 

 possess the speech wherewith to thank you, they are thankful 

 for it, and there is a great deal in protecting anything which 

 cannot protect itself. 



A few Partridge feathers by the wayside tells us that the 

 parents have been out with their young ones perhaps we may 

 light upon a small covey of them, and then helter-skelter is it 

 for a few moments until they safely hide themselves in the 

 herbage. The sun is still broiling hot and the oppressive 

 heat unbearable ; even the Rooks appear to have a lazy fit on ; 

 we betake ourselves to a neighbouring inn to refresh the inner 

 man, and stay there rather longer than we intended, surveying 

 a very handsome case of Barn Owls, and endeavouring to con- 

 vince the landlord of how they would have helped him to keep 

 in check u the tasty rodents." 



