JULY. 195 



perfection the wonderful imitative faculties these feathered creatures 

 possess 



Birds seen or heard: Hedge Sparrow, House Sparrow, Yellow 

 Bunting (noisy the whole day long), Ring Dove, Chiff Chaff, Chaffinch 

 (pinking), Blackbird. Lapwing, Great Tit (very noisy; apparently 

 parent birds and several young ones in tops of tall Firs), Nuthatch 

 (this bird, too, seemed as if it had young about), Jackdaw, Robin, 

 Coal Tit, Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit (we have had quite a 

 day among the Titmice), Lesser Whitethroat (on the telegraph wires, 

 with a grub in its beak), Starling (in flocks towards evening), Swift, 

 Rook, Partridge, Turtle Dove, and Bullfinch. 



Found nest of Bullfinch built on pliant branches of Fir; it was 

 the usual Bullfinch nest inside, but constructed outside of Fir twigs, 

 making an exceptionally large nest. There was one egg in the nest, 

 and two or three youngsters. Also found to-day Turtle Dove's nest, 

 containing two eggs, built in limb of tree. 



Many Green Caterpillars in Cabbages in garden. The corn is 

 quite brown. I never remember such a rapid transformation scene. 

 The Walnuts are com- 

 ing along very quickly, 

 and there seems a good 

 crop. Came across a 

 keeper's gibbet in the 

 woods, and noticed on 

 it several Jays ; (he says 

 he has killed all in 

 the wood except one, 

 but I know different^ HEDGEHOG. 



Stoats, Weasels, Cats, 

 Moles, and Hedgehogs. 



On my remonstrating with him for slaughtering the Moles and 

 Hedgehogs, he says the former burrow under the Pheasant's nests, 

 thus allowing the eggs to fall in the ground, and the latter are very 

 fond of rummaging about in the Pheasant's nests and smashing the 

 eggs. Writing of Hedgehogs reminds me that I came across one 

 alive in the woods to-day and brought it home. Unless one has had 

 experience with these extraordinary animals, one can hardly believe 

 how curious and timid they are. The head is quite hoglike in 

 character, and to see them walk or run is very peculiar, as they are 

 so ungainly. Their mouth seems right underneath the jaw, but my 

 " Moses " will not yet allow me to observe him as closely as I should 



