222 MY LIFE AS A NATURALIST 



My only " collection " in the study is a complete set of the eggs 

 of British nesting birds. I am not, and never will be, a clutch 

 collector, more scientifically accurate and valuable though it 

 may be. One egg of each species is all I possess, and these are 

 mounted on grey-toned cards, and afford a great amount of 

 pleasure to my visitors, especially the juvenile section of the 

 community, representatives of which gloated with delight at 

 a sight of an egg of the Golden Eagle, Osprey, and other rarities 

 this May morning. Eggs mounted in this way are extremely 

 useful for classes, photographing, and other purposes, and have 

 the additional advantage of taking up very little room. This is 

 an important item to remember in a small country study such as 

 I possess. 



Above my desk there is displayed in coloured silks a beautiful 

 spray of Wild Roses and Forget-me-nots, the loving handwork 

 of my saintly grandmother, whose love of Nature amounted 

 almost to a passion. This last token was completed just before 

 she died. It serves to remind me day by day of what I myself 

 owe to inherited tendency, and may fittingly conclude this, the 

 sixteenth chapter, of my " Life," in the failing light of a May 

 evening, when spirited Thrushes are chanting a parting lullaby, 

 bidding all creatures to slumber at the close of day. 



