DECEMBER. 307 



22nd. My calendar says Winter commences to-day. Curious 

 to relate, the said calendar has not for a wonder belied itself, for the 

 weather when we woke this morning was found to be much colder, 

 with a very pronounced white frost. Winter 1 At 9 a.m. the glass 

 was a couple of points above freezing. 



Song Thrush and Hedge Sparrow singing; Skylarks fluttering 

 about, but quite silent ; Rooks passing over to their feeding grounds. 

 A couple of the latter birds were strutting about in the road in front 

 of my house picking up tit-bits early this morning, whilst many 

 House Sparrows and Larks were feeding on the seeds of various 

 weeds on some waste ground opposite. 



23rd. Cold, frosty morning. Although there was a very hard 

 frost last night, there was still two degrees at 10 a.m. The air was 

 thick and misty. 



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

 and Groundsel. 



The Song Thrush was the only bird heard singing to-day, and 

 that only slightly. 



Birds seen or heard Chaffinch, Starling, House Sparrow, Pied 

 Wagtail, Skylark, Ring Dove (getting much noisier lately), Robin, 

 Blackbird, Yellow Bunting, Bullfinch (this bird has not often been 

 included in our lists during the past year), Hedge Sparrow, Nuthatch, 

 and Great Tit. 



Noticed a Squirrel scampering about in a Fir spinney, as nimble 

 and agile as ever, as interesting to watch as ever he was. 



Too misty all day to make any lengthened notes; all living 

 creatures seem to be hidden away waiting for better and brighter days. 



24th. Damp, misty, miserable weather. Walked thirteen or 

 fourteen miles, and observed the following birds: 



Nuthatch, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Jackdaw, Rook, Great 

 Spotted Woodpecker (how undulating the flight, especially when the 

 bird is lighted upon in the open. Flushed one to-day some distance 

 away from any trees, and watched it fly to the nearest shelter with 

 interest and pleasure), Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Hedge Sparrow, 

 Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, and Wren. 



Noticed some Indian Runner Ducks on a sheet of water, and also 

 three Wild Ducks, which were so tame that they allowed us to feed 

 them, and almost took food from the hand. 



The Moles have been busy casting up. 



