8 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



so finely blended, and so rich in their subdued 

 colours that one could wish they would remain so. 

 A white vapour begins to rise from the damp 

 earth, proclaiming that the sun has risen, the 

 glories of which we have missed this morning, 

 being too intent on the things of the earth. 

 Each day has some new beauty to the obser- 

 vant eye, and the heavens more than the earth 

 show change, not two days being alike. There 

 is much to be seen in the quiet of the morning 

 when all animal and bird life is astir, more 

 especially in the late spring and early summer, 

 when the air smells sweet. The birds sing their 

 cheery love-songs, and the scent of the new- 

 mown hay floats on the breeze. We linger on, 

 feasting on the beauties around us. 

 " The meanest floweret of the vale, 

 The simplest note that swells the gale. 

 The common sun, the air, the skies, 

 To him are opening paradise." 



When we left the house we purposely left the 

 dogs, so that we could see without disturbing 

 the different animals we came across. But what 



