522 MY GARDEN. 



competent to masticate them ; and I have been informed that in 

 America, when the animals hear the woodman's axe, they run to get 

 their share of the small shoots when the tree falls. My cattle devour 

 all the young shoots of tops of trees which are placed within their 

 reach, and bark the larger branches. On one occasion they barked 

 a number of walnut-trees ; so that it is necessary to protect all young 

 trees from cattle. The wild rabbit is capable of being tamed, when 

 it becomes one of the most interesting of pets. 



We have not the Dormouse (Myoxus avcllanarus}, though I have 

 often seen it at Tunbridge. It makes a curious nest, somewhat 

 like that of a bird, which is often disclosed to view when the leaves 

 drop, when nest and dormouse may be taken at the same time. They 

 are common throughout Kent, and are also said to be found a few 

 miles below my garden. Those nests that I have found with the 

 mouse inside, appear to be completely closed, from which I infer that 

 the creature closes the aperture when it enters, and thus only a ball 

 of grass and leaves is exposed to view. 



THE BIRDS. 



" I heard a thousand pleasant notes 

 While in a grove I sate reclined." 



WORDSWORTH. 



A garden, however lovely it may be, is never complete unless it 

 is plentifully tenanted with birds ; and every year it is a matter 

 of solicitude to me to know when the nightingale arrives, and how 

 many have taken up their abode in my garden. My son, who more 

 particularly notices the different species of birds, has observed about 

 ninety-six in our garden ; and in Brewer's " Flora of Surrey," the 

 names of 115 species are recorded. Of the ninety-six which have 

 been noticed in or near my garden, some are rare or accidental visi- 

 tors, while others merely pass over in their migrations or wanderings. 

 Many come from the south to spend the summer with us, others from 

 the north to pass part of the winter, and the remainder live with us 

 all the year. 



