

NATURE IN DECEMBER. 



WHEN we in the South of England do have snow, one of the 

 most interesting sights I always think is to watch a cock Phea- 

 sant proudly strutting in the beautiful crisp substance, and then, 

 having walked up to the spot, observing his well defined foot 

 marks ; or to watch a dozen or more Rabbits frolicking about, 

 and seeming to delight in the Wintry surroundings. 



Did ever the sooty Blackbird or the red breasted Robin 

 and we must not forget the speckled Thrush look better or 

 show off their plumage to more perfection than when seen on 

 a ground of snow? Winter in the South of England, however, 

 is nowadays of such a mild character that one cannot with 

 any degree of certainty devote too much space to a hard 

 Winter in such a sketch as December. On Christmas Day 

 1898, for instance, I knew of a nest of young Thrushes in Kent, 

 and many like records were sent to the Press, and were in 

 most cases well authenticated. No matter whether hard or 

 mild, in December the Nature lover realizes that all is silently 

 preparing for the Spring. Brush aside with your stick the 

 snow along a hedgerow for a square yard- and : you will be 

 able to discern the fresh green buds, only waiting for the sun 

 to melt the snow, then a few weeks of nice warm weather, and 

 the Spring is not far distant. 



December is an excellent month to study the various Lichens 

 which abound in England; seen through a magnifying glass, 

 and no less so with the naked eye, their silver and golden 

 colours, lilacs, whites and greys, are indeed beautiful to look 

 upon. Supposing the snow is on the ground there are three 

 birds still singing in the Robin, Wren and Skylark. All three 

 birds appear to be cheered by the transient gleam, and why 

 should they not be, for is not this the season of good cheer? 



Individuals at this season let bygones be bygones, forget all 

 old troubles and short-comings and wish one another the 



