MARCH. 45 



there will be a splendid June show; in the woods where I rambled 

 to day they were very prolific. The Rooks were at their nest trees, 

 and the eggs have in some cases, I should think, already been laid. 

 Some couples were still bringing fresh materials, but for the most 

 part all the nests in the rookery look complete. Walking across a 

 field in sight of the Rooks I held my stick under my arm like a gun, 

 and what a commotion ensued, to be sure. Half a minute afterwards 

 not a rook was in sight, and I must have been 200 yards away ! The 

 Cuckoo Pint, or Wild Arum, is well through now, as is also the Bur- 

 dock. Woodpeckers were " laughing " every now and then, and Jays 

 "shrieking," Coal Tits "squeaking," Ring Doves "cooing." By the 

 way, the workmanship in a Rook's nest, as looked at through field- 

 glasses, is very wonderful. Especially now, when there is no foliage 

 on the trees. 



In came across a large clump of Privet in the wood. There were 

 no berries to be seen; I suppose the birds had them all during the 

 severe weather of last month. The various Lichens are very beautiful 

 and' well worth a careful study just now. 



I have pleasure in recording that I found my first nests of 1900 

 to-day. I almost searched with a faint heart, but at last I was 

 rewarded by finding what was apparently a Blackbird's nest, about 

 half-built, in a Rhododendron. Later, in a thick Laurel bush, I found 

 a Song Thrush's homestead nearly ready for those delicate blue and 

 freckled eggs. By next Sunday I hope to report progress. They are 

 the earliest nests I have ever found. How glad it makes a bird-lover 

 feel to light upon his first nest of the season, especially after he has 

 been searching hours in vain ! Rabbits scampered out of the bracken 

 and the undergrowth at the sound of my footsteps as I trod on the 

 dead crackling branches and leaves. The white, cocked-up tail is 

 decidedly prominent when they are running. The Laurel is in flower, 

 and the Ivy is in its beauty just now. It is very heavily laden with 

 berries too. In the woods I noticed about half-a-dozen Aspen trees- 

 The male inflorescence is very beautiful, as it tosses and nods in the 

 March breezes. I do not think this tree is at all common; at least 

 this is the first time I have seen it hereabouts. Truly we may live and 

 learn. 



Rabbit-flick presented itself very frequently in the woods, the 

 Acorns are shooting, and the Beech buds are bursting. It was so 

 mild I sat down with my friends and listened to the melodies of a 

 Song Thrush. That particular bird fairly surpassed himself, and it is 

 worth walking miles to hear such a musician. Rooks, Starlings. 



