APRIL. 



Now Earth, exulting from her Wintry tomb, 

 Breaks forth with flowers." 



1st. Lesser Celandine in bloom. Cowslips nicely budded and 

 well above ground. Found a Song Thrush's nest, containing three 

 eggs. The eggs in the nest mentioned in March notes were, to my 

 disgust, all smashed when I visited the nest to-day in the hope of 

 seeing an early brood of four fledglings. Several Long-tailed Tits 

 flying about. I found several Song Thrushes' nests to-day being built 

 and others quite completed. 



Trefoil and Vetch nice and green now. A Nuthatch seen with 

 something in its beak. The Blue Tit seems to possess many notes; 

 one of them heard to-day uttered two distinct notes, and then several 

 run into one another. 



Great many Ring Doves seen. Many pairs Common Partridges. 

 Vernal Whitlow grass - very small white flower, small Woodruff-like 

 leaves in flower, also Dog's Mercury and Coltsfoot. The latter is 

 really a very beautiful flower, and should be highly prized. Rabbits 

 chasing each other. Female blossom of Nut Hazel a dull red 

 now, the male changed to dull green and brown; let us hope 

 fertilisation has been perfected. Chaffinch in full song. The ploughed 

 land looks very rich and fertile now. Some sheltered hedgerows 

 almost green. 



No Chiff Chaff to be heard, not in the district I rambled to-day, 

 at any rate Yellow Bunting singing. Song and Mistle Trushes 

 silent. Robin, Wren, and Hedge Sparrow singing. " Cock-up " of 

 the Pheasant heard. Lapwings on the fallows. Many old Turtle 

 Doves' nests found. Pair of Coal Tits seen. The Firs, Pine, and 

 Evergreens very lovely now. Garlic Mustard leaves becoming 

 prominent. Found a dead Mole; this animal is a farmer's friend. 

 Several Song Thrush's feathers found, probably a Sparrow Hawk had 



