THE PAGEANT OF THE SEASONS 103 



crackle as the hot rays cause them to contract. 

 Falling acorns, as they come down, sink deep among 

 these dry leaves. Being hidden, they have a chance 

 of germinating, for they may escape the notice of 

 pigeons or squirrels. Everywhere all is still, like a 

 day in early spring ; but trees, tinged here and there 

 with touches of pale 

 yellow, show us that 

 the time of the going 

 of the swallows is at 

 hand. A small copper 

 butterfly, glad to have 

 shelter and heat, flits 

 merrily between the 

 avenues of tall 

 bracken, and is lost 

 among the trees. Jays 

 are screeching loudly 

 in trees near where I 

 sit ; one, which ap- 

 proached closely and 



then gave out his harsh note, was even startlingly 

 interesting. In the meadow beyond the hedge a 

 male pheasant is proudly going about, followed by 

 two hens, little thinking that he has not much longer 

 to wander in this attractive wood ; for the first of 

 October is drawing near. 



A large nest of ants is close at hand ; the busy 



COAL-TIT. SMELLING ! 



