166 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



Hedgerows, fruits, and berries are beginning 

 to show some colour. As to the hazels, they 

 are well bunched ; the wild fruits are getting in 

 order as future food -supplies for those birds 

 that will come presently. The swallows are 

 dashing all over the country. No matter where 

 you may be, far out on the hills, or passing 

 through the woods, if you look up, there you 

 will see them, chasing their insect prey high 

 overhead. They will be the last to leave us. 



When reaping or, as it is now called in 

 southern counties, wheat-fagging first begins, 

 we generally have some perfect days. Those 

 wanderers who make wild creatures their only 

 study revel in these ; in fact, for the time, every 

 living creature rejoices in its life. Even those 

 that have had rubs in their contact with the 

 outer world, with all its vexations, forget these 

 for a time, and say it is good to live. 



Red admirals and peacock butterflies flit 

 before or around you ; they are glorious crea- 

 tures. If there is a bramble- bush near you, and 

 the sun shines right on it, stand still and see 

 them play, as they settle on the tinted leaves. 

 Various causes make them, comparatively 

 speaking, scarce at times. In some seasons, 

 again, they are abundant. At this time, un- 



