202 A YEAR WITH NATURE. 



or to see the milk-white bloom of a Surrey hedgerow ; leave 

 me to watch the gambols of the Squirrel, the run of the Hare, 

 the dibbing Rooks in the ploughed lands, the soaring Lark, 

 the clamorous Jackdaws; the amorous Doves, the useful Mole; 

 let me see the Blind Worm, the Earth Worm, the Butterflies 

 that Peacock Beauty and that delicate Brimstone leave me to 

 study those wonderful Caterpillars those of the Privet Hawk and 

 Humming Bird Hawk Moths and I will be satisfied. 



Take me and drop me gently down near Beachy Head to 

 watch those Peregrine Falcons, Gulls, Guillemots, and Divers ; 

 let me stroll by the golden-pebbled sea-shore somewhere, and 

 look for those freckled eggs of the Terns, and watch the 

 graceful creatures in their sweet flight ; may I stop and examine 

 the Crustacea which abounds, the Marine Insect and Animal 

 life which is to be found on every side? Send me off to the 

 Shetland Islands, among the Puffins, the Skuas, and other Sea 

 Fowl, how rough and rugged, how immense the scene which is 

 here presented 1 



May I come somewhat South from the Shetlands, and visit 

 bonnie Scotland, where I can see the Golden and White Tailed 

 Eagles in their eyries, the Grouse on the heather-clad moors. 

 What more does one want than to ramble in the neighbour- 

 hood of the glorious Dee, Don, and Spey, the noble Forth 

 and Tay? Let me bring within range of my glasses that fine 

 old Black Cock which Scotland can proudly boast of, and the 

 grand Capercaillie 1 Without our Scotia we should be badly 

 off, our Avi-Fauna at any rate would suffer terribly ; it is the 

 haven of refuge for many a British species, so all hail to the 

 land of the thistle, the land of majestic mountains, fine cities, 

 and loyal peoples. 



Then may I visit the Dipper a water bird that sings and 

 a song bird that dives, and, therefore, a puzzle to Darwinians 

 in its Derbyshire haunts, and come down South to Norfolk's 

 broads and reed beds, or the Lincolnshire fens? Show me the 

 Snipe and the Duck tribe, let me glide along by the reeds in 

 an old but water- proof punt, and see if I can meet with the 

 Reed and Marsh Warblers, and catch a glimpse of a Bearded 

 Titmouse, or even a common Water Vole ! 



Now let me go to a Heronry or a Rookery; bring to me a 



