46 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



Ring Doves, and Mistle 1 brushes were continually passing. In among 

 the dead leaves several small Spiders did not escape attention. 



The Woodruff is well through. Not much wind ; it wants some 

 nice winds to blow the pollen from the male Hazel blossom into the 

 female so that fertilisation may be perfected. We shake a few branches, 

 and thus lend a helping hand to Nature. 



The cones on the Firs look very prominent against the green- 

 needled background. There were many Firs where we rambled to-day. 

 I mean to search for the Golden-crested Wren's nest under those 

 pliant branches later on. 



I found a solitary Primrose out in the woods; it looked so cold 

 and lonely, but very soon now will have some companions. The 

 golden Crocuses in the cottagers' gardens looked very bright and 

 lovely to-day against the rich red and brown soil of drying March. 



13th. Very dull day, raining, and blowing hard. Birds silent, 

 though Song Trush was singing gaily at 6.30 p.m. 



14th. Typical March weather now. Wintry, dry, and cold. Birds 

 silent again for the most part. I have not heard the Skylark or the 

 Robin for the last few days. 



15th Hedge Sparrow, Lark, and Song Thrush singing. Much 

 warmer. A list of Butterflies one may possibly see during this month 

 may be useful. They are as follows : Small Garden White, Brimstone, 

 Comma, Large Tortoiseshell, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Camber- 

 well Beauty, and the Azure or Holly Blue. 



Generally speaking, not much difference is observed in the 

 Butterfly world than that of February, that is, of course, as regards 

 those seen in an imago state, but next month our list will be 

 considerably larger, and will then commence in real earnest. Those 

 species I have set out have been seen during this month, and even 

 earlier, but the reader must not be surprised or disappointed if neither 

 of them are forthcoming. So much depends on the weather. 



It is interesting to note that there are about 70 British Butterflies 

 and about 180 regular British breeding Birds. 



16th. The Song Thrush singing at 6.15 p.m. It has been very 

 cold to-day, and tonight I have been in a snowstorm 1 The wind 

 was due North, and extremely biting and cold. This will keep the 

 birds back a bit. When I saw those flakes again my enthusiasm went 

 right down below zero, if I may be so understood. 



