NATURE NEAR LONDON 



their nests. There are several within a short dis- 

 tance, easily distinguished in winter, but somewhat 

 hidden now by the young leaves. Just before they 

 settled down to housekeeping there was a great 

 chattering and fluttering and excitement, as they 

 chased each other from elm to elm. 



Four or five were then often in the same field, 

 some in the trees, some on the ground, their white 

 and black showing distinctly on the level brown 

 earth recently harrowed or rolled. On such a sur- 

 face birds are visible at a distance ; but when the 

 blades of the corn begin to reach any height such 

 as alight are concealed. In many districts of the 

 country that might be called wild and lonely, the 

 magpie is almost extinct. Once now and then a 

 pair may be observed, and those who know their 

 haunts can, of course, find them, but to a visitor 

 passing through, there seems none. But here, so 

 near the metropolis, the magpies are common, and 

 during an hour's walk their cry is almost sure to be 

 heard. They have, however, their favourite locality, 

 where they are much more frequently seen. 



Coming to my seat under the aspen by the 

 bridge week after week, the burdocks by the way- 

 side gradually spread their leaves, and the proces- 

 sion of the flowers went on. The dandelion, the 

 lesser celandine, the marsh marigold, the colts- 

 foot, all yellow, had already led the van, closely 

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