JUNE. 167 



it does not resort to water so much as in generally supposed; it nests 

 far away from it, of that I have often had ocular demonstration), 

 Chiff Chaff (singing continuously), Cuckoo (not so many heard as 

 previously; June is fast closing, and we shall not hear that welcome 

 call much longer), Rook, Ring Dove, Green Woodpecker (this fine 

 Woodpecker is more often heard than seen), Starling (a small flock 

 seen), Swallow (how pleasing the gentle twitter of this bird. Watched 

 one to-day perched on an Oak by a pond, uttering the pleasant notes. 

 It also twitters on the wing, and I often hear the bird before it is 

 seen). Watched a pair of Greater Whitethroats. They had a nest 

 somewhere, but I searched in vain. They were in a very excited 

 state, and puffed out their delicate little throats as if resenting very 

 much my inquisitiveness. Pheasant, Spotted Flycatcher (flitting to 

 and fro off his watch-perch after the luscious insects); male Chaffinch 

 in the garden ; I suspect he was after my Red Currants. The Sparrows 

 are with me very regularly now to what they have been. 



Several Butterflies seen out, including the Large Blue. It hardly 

 seems possible that to-day is Midsummer Day. The Summer is 

 speeding away all too fast. 



25th. Rained hard last night, and pouring in torrents this 

 morning. Temperature 50 degrees. Skylark and Hedge Sparrow 

 singing. I hear a Tree Pipit singing every morning near Mill Hill, 

 Middlesex (and at about the same time), as I am in the train travelling 

 to London. Even when in the train we may make ornithological 

 observations. Very heavy thunderstorms throughout the day. 



26th. After the heavy rains the bright sunshine this morning 

 was very welcome. 



27th. I was out just after five o'clock this morning and in the 

 woods. The Skylark and Blackbird were singing loud and long at 

 that hour, and a little later 1 also heard the Song Thrush, Robin, 

 Willow Wren, Common Wren, Greater Whitethroat, Tree Pipit, 

 Chaffinch, Ring Dove, Swallow, Chiff Chaff, and Cuckoo. It was 

 very damp in the woods, but a beautiful morning for a ramble. Fine 

 to-day. Good deal of sunshine. 



28th. Dull, but fine. On warm evenings now the Glow-worm 

 may be seen, at least its attractive light. Few people, however, know 

 that it is not a worm at all, but the wingless female form of a species 

 of Beetle (Lampyris noctiluca). The pale green light shines from the 

 posterior portion of the female, and this luminosity is supposed to 

 afford the means of attracting the non-luminous male. This is a 



