JANUARY. O- 



town just recently I was interested in a collection of birds and animate 

 which were being exhibited. They were all in one cage, agreeing 

 with each other quite amicably, and the following constituted this 

 happy family: Two Jackdaws, a Rook, a Kestrel, a Monkey, two or 

 three Guinea Pigs, three Cats, a Dog, two or three Rabbits, a couple 

 of Pigeons, and three black and white Rats. The Monkey appeared 

 to be the chief entertainer and lord of the situation. He caught the 

 Rats and put them on his head, holding all three in one "hand"; 

 he made the Cat and the "little wild Rabbit" jump over a perch, as 

 also a Guinea Pig, the Wombwell Minor, whose "menagerie" it was, 

 telling the sagacious creature not to catch hold of the Guinea Pig's 

 tail! I certainly did not approve of the so-called performances which 

 some of the occupants of the cage were put through, but as an 

 instance of fur and feather enemies living harmoniously together the 

 sight was one of the most striking it has been my lot to witness. 



19th. Heard a Hedge Sparrow warbling to-day for the first time 

 for some weeks. The Bulbs in garden coming forward again apace. 

 My Robin now sings to me daily. Weather very mild, but damp. 



21st Very hard frost last night. Heavy mist descended early, 

 most miserable day. Went for a not very enjoyable ramble, but depress- 

 ing surroundings apparently did not affect the Robins ; I heard at least 

 half a dozen singing simultaneously. I mistook one particular bird's 

 melodies for those of the Song Thrush ; the imitation was perfect. 



The Chaffinch was to be heard "pinking" again. Skylarks twit- 

 tering, but very slightly. Amusing to watch Starlings in my garden 

 tugging away at meat bone. With that bayonet-like bill every vestige 

 of meat was torn off and devoured. The bone was in the path, 

 and a little Blue Tit appeared, but could not summon up enough 

 courage to partake at the same table as he of the green and violet 

 reflections, but a cheeky, impudent House Sparrow had the audacity 

 to try and smuggle the chop bone from the Starling, but he was 

 eventually unsuccessful. Such pluck and daring deserved success. A 

 Song Thrush or two paid me a visit during the day. 



The Honeysuckle is making great headway, and in a few weeks 

 from now, with some nice warm sunshine, the leaves will be all 

 unrolled. 



The Fieldfares and Redwings have made the stock of Holly and 

 Mountain Ash berries look smaller, but a good supply still remains, 

 enough to last them at all events until they repair to the far away Pine 

 Forests of Norway. 



