208 NATURE IN DOWNLAND 



ture as the red admiral : he is one of a second brood, 

 and has come too late into his inheritance and will 

 not keep it long. For the rest you will see an occa- 

 sional common white, or a small heath ; or your sight 

 may be attracted by a spot of glowing colour on the 

 sunny side of a gorse bush — a small copper with open 

 wings basking and bathing in the vital heat and light, 

 perhaps for the last time, before day comes to a chilly 

 end. 



Even these few survivors may not remain long ; 

 the September sunshine is very sweet and pleasant to 

 behold, and may last many days ; but it is never con- 

 fidently looked for, and would not seem half so sweet 

 if it could be expected to last. After golden days the 

 grey come again, and the wind blows everlastingly; 

 the high hilltops are once more barren and bleak, and 

 you are glad to come into rough brambly places, where 

 all wild winged life that has not been blown away has 

 hidden itself from the blast. But how little it is ! 

 Perhaps you will see a yellow-hammer rush out of its 

 hiding-place and perch on a bush-top near to see what 

 creature has disturbed it. There for a few moments 

 it will sit, swayed about, its feathers roughed, its long 

 tail blown over its back or to the side at right angles 

 with its body — a picture of discomfort. You may 

 think that on such a day more may be seen by sitting 

 still in the shelter of a bush than by roaming; you 

 may sit for an hour, or for hours, and see nothing, and 

 hear nothing — not an echo of any summer note. 



