PREFACE. 



IS book was 

 written during 

 a period of enforced 

 retirement from busi- 



^-^__ ness, subsequent to a severe 

 r 



illness, and was not originally 



intended for publication, but 

 to while away a weary hour. 



Finding much pleasure and rest in noting down some 

 of my communings with Nature, the idea occurred to 

 me that others might enjoy equal pleasure, in compar- 

 ing their own observations with mine ; hence the book. 



The treatment may be somewhat unusual ; for that I 

 make no excuse, as it suited my whim at the moment, 

 and I did not care to alter it afterwards. 



The aim has been to supply, in a popular, and not too 

 v. 



870003 



