38 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



Hyacinths are well through in the woods, although, of course, they 

 will not be in flower for some few weeks yet. The Primroses are 

 coming along nicely. The Common Wren was singing, and I heard, 

 and saw, some Jays. 



I found a solitary Moorhen on a small pond. The friend I was 

 with told me he shot seven Landrails in one day at Baldock, Herts f 

 last September. Several bundles of faggots attracted my attention as 

 a likely spot for early nests, but none presented themselves. 



On the Fir trees we noticed the gum, and marvel that countless 

 ages and the action of sea water results in the production of Amber. 

 The gum becomes fossilised, and embedded therein many species of 

 insects, which have long ceased to exist, have been discovered in a 

 perfectly mummified state. 



The Almond blossom will soon be out first brown, then pale 

 yellow, shortly pink; the flowers appear before the foliage. 



6th. Hedge Sparrows singing cheerily in the garden. The 

 Chaffinch is in beautiful song now. A Mistle Thrush is singing daily 

 close to my house; he perches on the topmost branches of an 

 Oak, and pours out a loud, but little varied, song. The hedgerows 

 look as if a few days of warm sunshine would bring out the fresh green 

 flush of Spring. A Manchester friend writes me to-day that he saw 

 recently in his garden, in St. Anne's Street, a Great Tit, Marsh Tit, 

 and Coal Tit, all on one tree at the same time. 



7th. Our thoughts wander to the Migrants now, and I have made 

 out the following list. Any corrections or suggestions for making the 

 same as complete as possible will be much esteemed by the author of 

 this volume. 



A LIST OF SUMMER VISITORS TO THE BRITISH ISLES. 

 Ranged somewhat in the order in which they appear. 



1. Spotted Crake March. 



2. Ring Ouzel. End of March, or beginning of April. 



3. Wheatear. End of March. 



4. Stone Curlew. March, April, and early in May. Some of 



these birds are said to remain with us all the year round. 

 5. -Chirr Chaff. End of March. 



6. Yellow Wagtail End of March or early in April. 

 7. Sand Martin. Early in April, generally before the Swallow 



or House Martin. 

 8. Swallow. Middle of April. 



