THE CROWS 



by leaves, dot the sides of the ditches with colour, 

 like the purple tint that lurks in the amethyst. 



A small black patch marks the site of one of 

 those gorse fires which are so common in Surrey. 

 This was extinguished before it could spread be- 

 yond a few bushes. The crooked stems remain 

 black as charcoal, too much burnt to recover, and 

 in the centre a young birch, scorched by the flames, 

 stands leafless. This barren birch, bare of foliage 

 and apparently unattractive, is the favourite resort 

 of yellowhammers. Perching on a branch towards 

 evening, a yellowhammer will often sit and sing 

 by the hour together, as if preferring to be clear 

 of leafy sprays. 



The somewhat dingy hue of many trees as the 

 summer begins to wane is caused not only by the 

 fading of the green, but by the appearance of spots 

 upon the leaves, as may be seen on those birches 

 which grow among the furze. But in spring and 

 early summer their fresh light green contrasts with 

 masses of bright yellow gorse bloom. Just before 

 then just as the first leaves are opening the 

 chiff-chaffs come. 



The first spring I had any knowledge of this 

 spot was mild, and had been preceded by mild 

 seasons. The chiff-chaffs arrived all at once, as it 

 seemed, in a bevy, and took possession of every 

 birch about the furze, calling incessantly with 

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