270 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



Winter, by day. and oftentimes at night, always look forward in joy 

 and hope when they see the Summer mansions toppling to the ground. 

 Most of the wild flowers have run their course, though the golden of 

 the Nipplewort, the Long-rooted Cat's Ear, and the Autumnal Hawk- 

 bit makes a brave show still, as also the snow-white and delicate pink 

 of the Yarrow. A stray Red Admiral or sparkling little Copper 

 Butterfly may perchance be seen, but bird life seems to be much more 

 prominent than for some weeks past. Can you walk along without 

 listening with pleasure to that sweet-toned Lark? Do you not see 

 that flock of Starlings (which Gilbert White used to call "Stares") 

 in the distance ? Did you not catch a glimpse of that ochre-breasted 

 Nuthatch coming down that fine Oak tree head foremost? The 

 sights and sounds are so many we hardly know which way to turn tor 

 fear of missing some interesting creature fust look at that busy 

 company of Titmice engaged in yonder Fir spinney. Notice the 

 Long-tailed species, closely observe what fine fettle the Coal Tit is in, 

 as also the Great Tit or Oxeye. You must surely hear that 

 Robin singing, and cannot fail to see that flock of snow- 

 breasted Lapwings going overhead! Look at that little Tree Creeper 

 scampering round the bark of that silver-lichened Oak, and bring 

 your glasses on that flock of Rooks engaged in dibbing operations in 

 that newly-ploughed field. Are not they busy, searching for the 

 destructive Wireworm? We see not one-hundredth part of what is 

 going on in Nature, but by keeping our eyes and ears open, we may 

 observe and hear sufficient to assure us that during October as well 

 as every other part of the year we may make many interesting and 

 original Nature notes. 



13th. Still cold; not so bright, but perfect October weather; 

 S.W. winds. Skylark singing Hedge Sparrows and House Sparrows 

 noisy in the garden Whilst digging I turned up a Cocktail. What 

 a curious creature this isl There is a very marked change in the 

 foliage this last two or three days, and the leaves are turning colour 

 very fast and falling rapidly. It is quite a transformation scene from 

 a few days ago. 



Few people, perhaps, know the value of dust. I have just finished 

 reading Alfred Russell Wallace's wonderful book, "The Wonderful 

 Century." Shortly summarised, Mr. Wallace says that we owe to the 

 universality of dust, the pure blue of the sky, the glories of sunset and 

 sunrise, and diffused daylight or skylight. A dust-free atmosphere 

 would banish clouds or mist, or the "gentle rain from heaven," and 

 in its place we should have perpetual sunshine, desert lowlands, and 



