MAY. 107 



Hawthorn flower buds bursting, and should be well out in a few 

 days now Found a sort of Wild Raspberry with a reddish blossom, 

 instead of white. I cannot trace the species, and shall be glad of any 

 information hereon. I found it blooming freely in a thick Fir spinney, 

 in a gravelly soil. It grows to a height of from four to five feet, in 

 brownish canes, of course. 



Saw a very strong young Song Thrush, a bird of the year. 



Saw or heard all three British Woodpeckers the Great and Lesser 

 Spotted, and the Green Woodpeckers. The Lesser and Great Spotted 

 were "drumming," the Green was uttering its laughter-like notes. 



The most plentiful bird to-day, next to the Skylark, was the 

 Nightingale. I never heard so many before; they were within ear-shot 

 all the time I was out 



Found various Song Thrushes' and Blackbirds' nests; also Hedge 

 Sparrows, Common Wrens, Yellow Buntings, and Nuthatch. Eggs in 

 the Thrushes' nests only. 



Very interesting to watch a pair of Nuthatches nest building in 

 hole of tree, carrying in dabs of mud, &c. A pair of Starlings have 

 apparently chosen a similar nesting site within an inch or two of the 

 Nutjobbers. 



Spruce, Scotch, and Larch Firs very fine now. Privet flower 

 showing well, and should soon be out- How the children ransack 

 the woods, hedgerows, and fields for Wild Hyacinths, Primroses, 

 Cowslips. Crowfoot (commonly known, like the Celandines, as 

 Buttercups), and Daisies; one meets them now along the country 

 lanes with their various posies of wild flowers. Why not give 

 practical lessons in Natural History throughout every school in the 

 land, inculcating and fostering a love for the same when the mind is 

 young? This would do the children far more good than the too 

 frequent cramming which now takes place. 



Found dead Rook by the wayside, and noticed the powerful 

 beak, and the bald patch behind the same. How few people know 

 the difference between a Rook and Crow, or that there is any 

 difference. 



Warm showers. Has the reader noticed how similar the alarm 

 cry of the Song Thrush is to that of the Blackbird ! 



The following notes were written by me this evening as I sat 

 under an Oak in a small copse: -7 p.m. Jay screaming, Willow Wren 

 singing, Skylark soaring and singing. Blackcap uttering alarm note, 



