192 MY LIFE AS A NATURALIST 



discover why this familiar woodland plant has acquired the 

 forepart of its English name. 



I reach a less-frequented path, which runs horizontally across 

 the wood. It is damp in places, and, as I wander along, patches 

 of Wood Loosestrife, or Yellow Pimpernel, greet me, together 

 with Tormentil, and tall spikes of Bugle. 



Homewood is for the most part an Oak-wood, with Hornbeams 

 and Brambles as close companions. Where the Hornbeam has 

 formed a dense plant-association, there is little chance for any 

 other vegetable growth to anchor, for, on my right, there is 

 little, or no, undergrowth. The grassy pathway divides the 

 Hornbeam plantation from the richly-studded Oakland on my 

 left, but here the Bramble and other plants are able to nourish 

 owing to the tallness of the Oaks allowing free access of light 

 and air. The Hornbeam colony shuts out the light, and nought 

 but fallen leaves carpet the ground beneath the green canopy 

 above. Crane Flies are disporting themselves in the taller 

 herbage, and move reluctantly onward even when coaxed so to 

 do, and a belated Jack-in-the -Pulpit (Wild Arum) provides an 

 object lesson for my hostess, who has now joined me. 



C XT 



j. 79. NEST AND EGGS OF TURTLE DOVE. 



The bright pink petals of Herb Robert light up the scene here- 

 abouts, and a Turtle Dove slips quietly off her frail platform 

 of sticks, among which two milk-white eggs seem perilously 

 suspended (Fig. 79). 



Already the June sunshine is warning us of the feast of Wild 

 (and Garden !) Strawberries, which will soon be ready for man 

 and beast. The green fruits are well formed, and I remember 



