CONTRY RAMBLES. 



the note similar to noise made by slowly winding up a clock, and the 

 female a sissing, hinge-like, and weak " peesit. peesit, peesit." 



Birds seen or heard: Swallow (still skimming gracefully over 

 the now fresh green meadows, and looks like staying some weeks 

 longer yet); Chaffinch, Starling, Blackbird, Ring Dove, Jackdaw, 

 Rook, Pheasant, Jay, Bullffinch (to call this bird, one must whistle 

 just one note as softly and quietly as possible; a friend ot mine has 

 succeeded in rearing a nest of five of these birds this Summer), and 

 Skylark (still silent). 



The smell in and near the woods is well worth noting; it is by 

 no means unpleasant. Noticed in the orchards a splendid crop of 

 Damsons and the beautiful bloom on the luscious Apples. The Hips 

 and Haws are quickly changing colour; the latter are mostly quite 

 red now, whilst the Horse Chestnuts are assuming quite a golden 

 colour. The various Mosses are very well worth a study just now, 

 and the extraordinary crop of Acorns must again be noted. How 

 rare it is that one comes across two or more Oaks exactly like each 

 other! Either the cutting of the leaf is different, or some other 

 variation. I am told the reason is because they are all propagated 

 from seed. Our last notes for to-day (I), what a study it is to go 

 out in the garden with a light at night, and observe the various 

 creeping and crawling creatures there to be seen, and (2) the Natural 

 History of the inhabitants of the water-butt ! 



3rd. Dull mostly, with occasional sunshine; warm. Whilst 

 fishing to-day the Robin was to be heard on every side. House 

 Martins and Swallows dipping in the pool, and a pair of Goldfinches 

 heard and seen in a tall Fir. This is the first occasion I have 

 observed these birds in my district this year. I was so pleased to 

 hear the unmistakeable call-note to-day. We were in private grounds, 

 so that this accounts for the presence of the birds, perhaps. On the 

 other side of the pool various beautiful flower beds made up of 

 scarlet and pink Geraniums, many coloured Asters, and French 

 Marigolds attracted our notice, and were strikingly reflected in the 

 water. Starling and Blackbird heard, Song Thrush seen The 

 Water Lilies have finished flowering. Heard a Wren singing, and 

 observed two or three Spotted Flycatchers still busy Fly-catching. 

 The Weeping Willow never looked better than just now, the Moor- 

 hen's "crook" never sounded more pleasantly. Great Tits in the 

 Yew trees ; the red fruit on the trees very noticeable ; a pair of Pied 

 Wagtails went over crying " Cheese-it, cheese-it," The livelong 



