JULY. 



193 



to some extent. These birds are often called hybrids, but the keeper 

 assures us they are nothing of the kind. 



16th. Still very hot, but morning opened somewhat dull; after- 

 wards it was blistering hot. the hottest day that we have had this 

 Summer, over 90 degrees in the shade, over 135 degrees in the sun! 

 It is said to be the hottest July day we have had for over forty years. 



17th. 115 degrees in the sun at 8 a.m. Skylark singing. It is now 

 nearly a fortnight since we had any rain. 



They are crying out in France because of the scarcity of small birds 

 and the redundancy of insect life. It is so bad that the Minister of 

 Agriculture has issued a circular to the Prefects on the matter, asking 

 for their reports and suggestions for remedying the evil. At the time 

 of the annual migration in the South of France it is stated that there 

 are " positive hecatombs of birds " Swifts still careering round my 

 house towards evening. 



18th. Still broiling hot. Swallow and House Martins seen. 

 Skylark singing joyously. Following flowers blooming in the garden : 

 Eschscholtzia, Lobelia, French Marigolds, Phlox, Stocks, Nasturtiums, 

 Pinks, Antirrhinums, White Lilies, Pansies, Roses, Cornflowers, Sweet 

 Peas, Mignonette, Sweet Williams, and Canterbury Bells. The Flocks 

 will soon be out, also Garden Mallows, Carnations, and Asters. White 

 Runner Beans in flower. 



Skylark soaring at 8.45 p.m. 



19th. 112 degrees in the sun at 8 a.m. Since yesterday my Garden 

 Mallows have opened out into a blaze of red, and the Carnations are 

 bursting. Hedge Sparrow singing. 



20th.- Still broiling hot. Very slight showers. Good deal of 

 lightning playing about in the East towards evening. Skylark singing. 



21st. Dull and threatening. A short, sharp shower in early 

 morning, but nothing to speak of. Whilst I was playing cricket to-day 

 forty or fifty Jackdaws were hovering and cackling overhead. 



22nd. Dull most of day, but very oppresive. Seemed as if a storm 

 was brewing, but is missed us. 



Flowers found in bloom : Scentless Mayweed, Charlock, Hop 

 Trefoil, Dandelion, Bulbous Crowfoot, White Clover, Field Thistle, 

 Nipplewort (at its height now), Scarlet Poppy, Sow Thistle, Field 

 Convolvulus, Small Knapweed, Yarrow, Cow Parsnip, Bramble, White 

 Dead Nettle (seems to have started flowering again), Hedge Parsley, 

 Herb Robert, Harebell, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Pink Campion, Dove's-foot 



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