228 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



Birds heard or seen: House Sparrow (more conspicuous along 

 the country side to-day than for some time past. Companies of from 

 half a dozen to a hundred or two flying about). Swallow (some still 

 skimming over the meadows; others in batches of a dozen or so high 

 up in the air, flying round, then facing the wind and hanging almost 

 suspended in midair on buoyant and almost motionless wings, a 

 very curious sight to witness), Chaffinch (uttering the "pink-pink" 

 notes), House Martin, Starling, Coal Tit, Jay (screaming in the 

 woods as usual), Rook, Song Thrush, Ring Dove, Mistle Thrush, 

 Blackbird (what a nervous bird this is, to be sure), Greenfinch, 

 Greater Whitethroat (almost the last time we can expect to see this 

 Warbler), and Yellow Bunting. There seems quite a lull in bird life 

 now, and for the next few weeks I do not suppose we shall see much 

 change. On the arrival of our Winter visitors, the Redwings, Field- 

 fares, and other birds, and the resumption of the songs of the Mistle 

 Thrush, Skylark, and Wren, the full song of the Redbreast, and the 

 occasional voice of the Song Thrush, Blackbird, and Hedge Sparrow, 

 we shall be better catered for, but for the present we seem somewhat 

 badly off for Avian notes. 



The seeds of the Sycamore are turning quite red; the leaf or in 

 Scientific language the elongated hypsophyll of the Lime tree to 

 which the inflorescence is adnate is very peculiar and well worth 

 notice. It differs from the foliage leaves both in its yellowish colour 

 and peculiar shape. I noticed them particularly on^to^day's rambles. 

 The Acorns are very prominent now, and there is an extraordinary 

 heavy crop. The branches are almost bending under the strain. 

 The berries of the Hawthorn are going quite red, and the white 

 berries of the Snowberry are now to be seen. The rows of Potatoes 

 are bearing flowers again, the Grasshopper's curious love- song is still 

 to be heard, and many Blackberries are quite ripe The young Ash 

 saplings are noticeable just now, also the second Clover crop. A 

 good many Nuts are ripe, and a more prolific season I hardly 

 remember. In a few minutes to-day I must have gathered two or 

 three pottles ! In a few days time, that is if we have some sunshine, 

 they will be quite ripe. The Sloes are to be seen now, and I should 

 just like to note again the great sight of various berries to be seen 

 this Atumn. The Holly, Hawthorn, and Wild Rose bushes and 

 trees are quite smothered. When they turn red they will be a 

 wonderful sight. 



27th. Dull and cold. Searching and keen East winds. 

 28th. Very cold and showery. Robin singing. 



