NATURE NEAR LONDON 



still under the shadow of the firs. There is no 

 end to them the vast monotony has no visible 

 limit. The brake fern it is early in July has 

 not yet reached its full height, but what that will be 

 is shown by these thick stems which rise smooth 

 and straight, fully three feet to the first frond. 



A woodpecker calls, and the gleam of his green 

 and gold is visible for a moment as he hastens 

 away the first bird, except the wood-pigeons, 

 seen for an hour, yet there are miles of firs around. 

 After a time the ground rises again, the tall firs 

 cease, but are succeeded by younger firs. These 

 are more pleasant because they do not exclude the 

 sky. The sunshine lights the path, and the 

 summer blue extends above. The fern, too, 

 ceases, and the white sand is now concealed by 

 heath, with here and there a dash of colour. 

 Furze chats call, and flit to and fro ; the hum of 

 bees is heard once more there was not one under 

 the vacant shadow ; and swallows pass overhead. 



At last emerging from the firs the open slope is 

 covered with heath only, but heath growing so 

 thickly that even the narrow footpaths are hidden 

 by the overhanging bushes of it. Some small 

 bushes of furze here and there are dead and dry, 

 but every prickly point appears perfect ; when 

 struck with the walking-stick the bush crumbles to 

 pieces. Beneath and amid the heath what seems a 

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