NATURE IN OCTOBER. 235 



osier and reed patches. It is here that the Sedge, Reed, and 

 Marsh Warblers are found during the Summer, together with 

 the Reed Bunting. Turning away from these scenes across 

 some meadow land, and then through a spinney, we observe 

 that the Nuts are dead ripe ; we stand and watch the woodmen 

 felling four grand old Chestnut trees and a Black Poplar, paying 

 particular attention to the curious fruit of the latter. 



In the early October mornings the dew glistens brightly as: 

 the sun rises. It rises later now and sets earlier. It is a 

 pouring wet morning, but the Robin sings for all he is worth. 

 I very rarely see a Redbreast which -does not sing. 



The arrival and departure of our Summer migrants has already 

 been alluded to, and the same remarks apply to the Autumn 

 visitors. The Fieldfare and the Redwing are with us now, as 

 also the Jack Snipe, and there has been an influx of Woodcocks 

 The Black Tailed Godwit visits us in the Autumn, but is now 

 extinct as a British Breeding Bird. The Skylark has been 

 very silent of late, but he will find that trilling lay of his 

 again shortly. 



Early in the month the Hop season ends, and it is interesting 

 to note that it is the last ingathering that finds employment for 

 the poor of the Country. 



The Autumn sunbeams are thrown on the pool, and a 

 Moorhen or Little Grebe goes swimming right across. Glanc- 

 ing into the water we may see the Great Water Beetle, 

 and in light sandy districts the curious Burying Beetle. In 

 the willows one may find the Armadillo Woodlouse. These 

 creatures burrow and tunnel in the trunks and branches so as 

 to riddle it with holes, so much so that when struck or tapped 

 it appears to be hollow. The Woodpeckers and Creepers find 

 these trees out ; they love Woodlice, The Elder-berries are quite 

 ripe, and so are the berries of the Privet. Bullfinches are very 

 fond of the latter. The Meadow Saffron is in bloom, together 

 with Hare-bells, and Ling. Great White Bindweed is about, 

 as well as Teasel, and Blackberries. The Greenfinch is very 

 partial to the last named berries. 



Passing on, the observer notices that the Hornbeam retains 

 its foliage until Spring. Our last botanical remark this month 

 is as to the loveliness of the various Wall Creepers at this 



