JUNE 137 



as much in evidence as ever. Yet how much there is 

 that we do not know about them, and how hard it is to 

 find out more ! Cardinal Newman, indeed, declared 

 that we knew less about animals than about angels; 

 but his Eminence probably would not have denied that 

 we enjoy more frequent opportunities of observation 

 upon the former. 



I may add that, having travelled straight from Brent- 

 ford to Galloway, leaving birds in full song in the south, 

 in the north-west not a note is to be heard. Black- 

 birds, thrushes, cuckoos in plenty ; but not one of them 

 all disposed to sing a stave. Yet second broods are in 

 progress, for to-day July 8th I set my foot (luckily 

 lightly) on a partridge sitting on twelve eggs. She 

 flew off with a great splutter, but not far, and returned 

 towards the nest before I left the ground. 



Most of the early broods of partridge have perished 

 in the heartless cold and wet, and there will be few 

 young birds fit for the bag in September ; but if hot 

 weather, whereof we have indications, sets in now, there 

 will probably be a good crop of second brood coveys. 1 



The effect of the rainfall, almost continuous since 

 May 1st, upon vegetation in field and garden has been 

 very remarkable. On light, warm soils, too apt to burn 

 up in ordinary seasons, blossoming has been prolonged 

 in a very delightful way. Seacoast flowers thrift, 

 stone crops, blue scabious, crimson geranium, yellow 

 rock rose, make a more delightful display than ever, 

 owing to the rich verdure surrounding them, which 



1 The second broods fared no better than the first, for the wet and 

 cold continued till the end of August. 



