34 AUTUMN AND WINTER 



are ripened for sowing. The protection is from the weather 

 only, for the acidity is enough protection from the bird. 

 Colour and scent both reach their highest pitch when the 

 seed is first ready for migration. The kernel of the seed 

 itself is more stalwartly protected. It will need the digestive 

 fluids of the birds, the rains and weathering of winter, and 

 the force of the inner growth, before it responds to the call 

 of spring. The fruits of the wild briar, the may thorn, the 

 yew, the holly and ivy, and scores besides are thus designed, 

 and are all distributed over the country by the animal 

 sowers. Instances are quoted of seeds being so carried over 

 wide seas. But it is as much the part of the fruit to feed as 

 to be carried away, even though we grant the full Darwinian 

 theory that the fruits which have most surely tempted the 

 birds have most flourished. Laws of such double purpose 

 must work roughly, if only one purpose be considered. 

 Perhaps they work roughly from any standpoint. There is 

 certainly one habit of birds which seems rather to strive 

 against the interest of the plant. You may often find little 

 spinneys of trees growing up under the shadow of wide 

 branches which in the end kill them with their shade. 

 Many birds, especially the tribe of thrushes, delight, like 

 the ancient Egyptians, in retirement. They are fonder of 

 no tree than the lime, which sends out spreading and shady 

 boughs within a few feet or even inches of the ground. 

 There is a garden lime in Hertfordshire under which is 

 always to be found a regular nursery of young trees, especi- 

 ally of holly and thorn, the sign of many a hearty meal in 

 the quiet room of the lime boughs. All birds do not take 

 such trouble to escape to quiet quarters. Rooks do not ; 

 and so you will find little oak coppices growing up in the 

 most unexpected open quarters. There are some authenti- 

 cated instances of the work of rooks in sowing acorns ; but 



