AUGUST. 



" Summer's lease hach all too short a date." 



1st Dull; temperature dropped to 60 degrees. Some rain. Hedge 

 Sparrow singing. The Skylark has certainly been very silent this 

 last few days, but a reference to our notes gives us the interesting 

 information that this minstrel has been singing practically without 

 cessation since the 17th February. I heard it last on July 29th, and 

 readers would do well to carefully note my diary as to when it 

 resumes again. 



2nd. Much warmer. 100 degrees in the sun at 8 a.m. The rains 

 of yesterday have made everything look fresh and green again after 

 the drought. The lengthened song period of the Lark has at last 

 temporarily ceased. 



3rd. Gusty, and very heavy, prolonged rains. Hedge Sparrow 

 singing. Harvesting operations at a standstill. 



A friend writes me that on July 9th he found on an eyot on the 

 Thames about a dozen Reed Warblers nests with five young Cuckoos 

 distributed amongst them. What a lucky nesting ramble! 



4th. It has blown a fierce gale all night, and very strong N.W.. 

 winds prevalent this morning, but nice sunshine. Al the same time, 

 it is very cold, and many people have started overcoats again. We 

 are actually shivering! Swifts and Swallows seen. 



5th. Dull and rather cold; rain and very heavy thunderstorm 

 towards evening. 



Flowers in bloom: Oxeye Daisy (surely very late\ Field Con- 

 volvulus, Nipplewort, Yarrow, White Dead Nettle, Scentless Mayweed,. 

 Field Thistle, Scarlet Poppy, Charlock, Hedge Parsley, Bulbous 

 Crowfoot, Field Scabious, Long-rooted Cat's Ear, Sow Thistle, 

 Mugwort, Common Mallow, Wild Carrot, Bramble, White Campion, 

 Red Clover, Dandelion, Sainfoin, Corn Sow Thistle, Groundsel 



