124 COUNTRY RAMBLES . 



and Oak were charming in thir grandeur. Underneath, and round 

 about them, the Sheep and Lambs were to be seen, and. amongst 

 them, several prying Jackdwas " grubbing " about. On a quiet 

 Summer's evening, how peaceful the scene 1 The screaming whistle 

 of the railway engine, the din ol the roaring traffic, the hum-drum of 

 business life does not penetrate here. Nature reigns supreme, calm, 

 tranquil, and beautiful. What a change for the mind, and a stimulant 

 for the body, to ramble amongst such sylvan scenes, and take notice 

 of the wild life which abounds. The gentle lullaby of the Sheep 

 bells, and the distant clanging of the church bells for evensong, 

 harmoniously softened by the distance; the cooing of lovable Ring 

 and Turtle Doves, the " cock-up " of a starled Pheasant, the alarm cry 

 of a Blackbird, the laugh of a Green Woodpecker, the cawing of still 

 busy Rooks, the trilling lay of a still ascending Lark, the skimming 

 of some Swallows along the golden meadows, these are some of the 

 rural sights and sounds which for me hold such an abiding sway. 



21st Lovely day, nice gentle breezes. Irises out in a blaze of 

 splendour in the garden. I would repay the reader to examine one 

 of these blossoms under a glass. The construction, consisting of nine 

 conspicuous portions, three outer segments, three inner segments, and 

 the three petaloid stigmas covering the stamen, and the beautiful 

 colourings, are very wonderful. 



South to South-east winds, Skylark singing at 8.30 p.m. 



22nd. Rained heavily during last night, and drizzling best part 

 of to-day. Windy and dull. Skylark singing joyously, as is his wont 

 on these cheerless days. S. to S.W. winds. The Swifts seem to have 

 arrived over the country generally during the first week of May. Most 

 people are of the opinion that this bird belongs to the Swallow family. 

 Some writers assert it is the largest of the Swallow tribe in our 

 Country; but this is quite an error, as it is the sole representative in 

 our Avi-fauna of the tribe to which the Humming Birds are attached. 

 The general construction of the bird and its life and habits are such 

 that a closer study would doubtless reveal many interesting facts 



Now that the Chickweed has commenced to seed, Linnets may be 

 looked for where it abounds. They are very found of the seeds. 



At a meeting of the Ashford Sparrow and Rat Club 'on the 16th. 

 it was stated that 12,000 Sparrows (whether they were all House 

 Sparrows is extremely doubtful, I should think), and 5,000 Rats had 

 been killed during the year 1899 in that district alone. 



