JULY. 191 



manner of notes in the woods), Jackdaw, Moorhen (croo-ing among 

 the Willows and Reeds). 



The Oats are heading up very strongly now, and one particular 

 field seen to-day was quite yellow. The corn is changing from green 

 to yellow. The haymakers have had splendid weather this last fort- 

 night, but labour is scarce, I hear, and as much as 5 per week is 

 being oifered. 



We visited a Barley field to-day. The last time we were there 

 the seed was being sown. What a change now! Also in the woods, 

 where all was bare when we were in this neighbourhood in February 

 and March, it is now in fairest verdure clad: quite a transformation 

 scene. 



The Eschscholtzia in the garden is in bloom; are not the golden 

 flowers gorgeous, and is not the soft green foliage a perfect contrast, 

 and yet harmonious ! 



To-day is St. Swithin's; country people say on this day, "I 

 wonder if it will christen the Apples?" 



The mass of Scarlet Poppies on the railway banks and in the 

 cornfields this Summer is a picture. I have never before seen such 

 a mass of scarlet. What artist could do justice to such a scene? 

 The silver sheen on the Willows by the gin-bright water very notice- 

 able. Long-song of the Grasshopper heard. Several Large White 

 and Meadow-brown Butterflies out. The Lime in in flower, and the 

 aroma to-day was delicious. The monotone to be heard right through 

 the avenues of these trees was curious and pleasing; of course, it 

 was the Bees in the blossoms. The Cedar also smells sweetly. The 

 Nuts are ripening quickly under the hot July sunshine. The Sheep 

 get up lazily to allow us to pass them. The Red Deer and Fawns in 

 his lordship's park are well worth our attention. The cattle standing 

 in the Trout stream just by the old mill-house and the waterfall is a 

 very restful scene; here it is shaded. It is not refreshing to get 

 under the shelter of the trees from out of the sun-scorched paths? 

 The Elder is going off flower. Passed a pleasant half-hour in and 

 around an old farmhouse to-day. The Cherries in the orchard looked 

 very tempting. In one day the bird scarer shot nearly one hundred 

 and fifty blackbirds and Thrushes, and on another occasion over 

 eighty Can nothing be done to put a stop to this wholesale 

 slaughter? A fine young Jackdaw was trying to attract our attention 

 by "jacking," and the good lady, with spotless skin and freckled 

 face, gave him a tasty bit. We also noticed a fine Ring Dove, which 

 had been caged five years. He was in splendid fettle, but blind in 



