SEPTEMBER. 241 



Lapwings on some newly-ploughed land, all with their heads turned 

 towards the wind S.E. How beautiful they look through a glass 

 when in such a position upon the rich brown soil. 



Robin singing continuously; song more sustained, and louder. 

 Spotted Flycatchers seen. 



Gathered a large bunch of Field Marguerites and very tall 

 Water Grasses; surely very late for the former. Many Scarlet Poppies 

 in flower, also Larger Willow Herb, Meadow Vetchling, Pink Persi- 

 caria, Fleabane, and Devil's Bit Scabious Also in flower: the 

 Broad-leaved Plantain, Upright Meadow Crowfoot, Yarrow (how 

 beautiful the pink and red variety, especially when examined through 

 a glass), and Sow Thistle. 



Great Tit appeared in the Rushes by the water. Robin came to 

 drink, and settled on the Lotus leaves. Many Moorhens "crooing," 

 Kingfisher seen. Skylark heard uttering its full song as it was being 

 chased by two or three others; surely uttered in anger or defiance, 

 by no means strong or sustained. Only a minute before we had 

 written in our note-book, "Skylark still silent." 



Received a Red-necked Grebe in splendid Winter plumage, the 

 same having been shot at Poole, Dorset, some time last year by a 

 punt gunner. 



I have been reading with much pleasure and profit just lately 

 Mr. W. H. Hudson's book "Nature in Downland." The author 

 writes of "The useless Heron," but does not this noble bird 

 partake very largely of Rats, and thus help in ridding the land of these 

 rodents ? What pleases me, however, is Mr. Hudson's eulogium on the 

 Skylark, for I, too, have listened to that minstrelsy on the Downs, and 

 been fascinated by it. It is also gratifying to read of the abundance of 

 House Martins, Swallows, and Swifts. Cannot the strange fact about 

 the male Swifts disappearing cloudwards towards evening for a night 

 out (so it is said) be settled some way or the other? I have noticed 

 the strange phenomeon many times during the past Summer, but it 

 still remains a mystery. Has anyone stayed near their nesting places 

 throughout the night to see that the birds did not return before 

 sunrise ? 



15th. Dull early; bright and hot later. 



16th Heavy dew early, bright and warm later, but dull and 

 cloudy towards late afternoon. Lovely sunset at 6 p.m Lightning 

 after 9 p.m., and very dark. 



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