MIST, RAIN, AND SUNSHINE 73 



until the Swallows are skimming over the pools 

 and meadowland. By the time the hedge parsley 

 has grown a foot high, the Whitethroats are 

 beginning to build their nests, and when begun 

 these are very conspicuous ; but the builders ap- 

 parently well know, that very soon the vegetation 

 will have grown up enough to hide their little 

 bush on the hedge-side. One day the country is 

 hidden in thick mists ; then fine rain falls, pene- 

 trating everywhere, and little balls of water stand 

 on the blades of grass and leaves. The White- 

 throats and other small birds emerge from their 

 nearly finished nests, looking half soaked, and 

 causing miniature showers to fall as they hop on 

 to the branches, and shake the drops off. Then 

 come days of sunshine, and with a rush the full 

 life of spring returns to the landscape. 



In the grove between the wood and the orchard, 

 orange-tip butterflies are flying in an unending 

 procession ; as soon as one has gone by another 

 comes, and each seems brighter than the one 

 before. Pretty little dragon-flies are hovering over 

 the grass, some of the brightest blue, others 

 brown ; over the stream there is a larger one flying 

 much quicker, darting hither and thither. White 

 butterflies are everywhere, and a young Sparrow 

 flies after one of these, but soon gives up the 



