DECEMBER. 



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Mr. Hooker, gardener at Mailing House, near Lewes, Sussex 

 writes to me to say that he recently found a Starling's nest "on the 

 lawn" there. One egg was laid on December 8th and another on 

 the 10th. I hardly understand a Starling's nest being built on a 

 lawn, or on the ground at all. I should rather have thought that the 

 female had to lay the eggs somewhere and chose that particular spot, 

 so that really no nest was built. At all events, this occurrence 

 strikingly illustrates the mildness of the season. 



16th. Much colder, but welcome sunshine. A perfect December 

 day. 



CHEERFUL OLD AGE. 



The old dame in the foreground is ninety-four years ol age. 



The only flowers noticed in bloom to-day were : Shepherd's 

 Purse, Dandelion, Groundsel, Furze, Yarrow, Autumnal Hawkbit 

 (only a very little), Garlic Mustard, and Cinquefoil. The flowering 

 of the two last-named at this season appears to me to be quite 

 phenomenal, and must not be taken seriously. 



Birds singing. Skylark, Robin, Song Thrush, and Hedge 

 Sparrow. 



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