32 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



I saw a tree of Traveller's Joy to-day in a wood which was quite 

 50 feet high! Pleasurably surprised to observe a pair of Stonechats 

 along a high road. The male was in exquisite plumage. They were 

 very lively, catching Gnats and flying in and out of the hedgerows. 

 Curious to relate, I again saw a Kestrel to-day in exactly the same 

 locality and same time as reported in my diary of a week ago (18th). 

 The Firs are very beautiful just now. 



Skylarks singing everywhere. Some Holly berries still to be seen. 

 A stray heap of snow here and there. 



A few Worms seen "on top." 



The sentinels of the woods the Blackbird and Jay to be heard 

 screaming. 



The ditches are full of water, and the music of the bubbling 

 brooks and trickling rivulets is one of the pleasantest of rural sounds 

 just at this season. 



The Primroses are out in the garden. 



I saw at a friend's house to-day an albino Great Tit. A little 

 yellow was on the under-breast, but for the most part the specimen 

 was a very cuiious illustration of albinism. 



I heard and saw Long-eared Owl this evening, and an old Frog 

 was hopping about at dusk. 



In a small garden in the centre of this city (St. Albans) I heard 

 or saw the following birds to-day: Rook, Starling, Wren, Robin, 

 Hedge and House Sparrows, Chaffinch, Ring Dove, Coal Tit, Song 

 Thrush, Blackbird, and Great Tit. 



A note or two picked up to-day: 

 Hawfinches feed on Pupae as well as Peas. 



Jackdaws are very fond of young Sparrows, and plunder their 

 nests wholesale. 



Has the reader ever noticed the curious battle axe shaped wing 

 feathers of the Hawfinch? 



26th. Raining, but Lark singing. Why does this bird sing in 

 such dismal weather? 



27th. Raining in torrents, but does not damp the ardour of the 

 Lark. It must be that the reason of this continual singing is for a 

 partner. Hedge Sparrow and Robin heard. 



