156 JUNE 



consisting of lines barely deflected from straight- 

 ness. From no foliage can the draughtsman learn 

 this lesson more clearly than from that of the water- 

 dock ; analysis of the complicated group will show 

 that all its curves are gentle, sometimes barely per- 

 ceptible. 



XLIX 



If the movement of life does not seem so head- 

 Summer l n & * n J une as ft was * n May, there 

 Birds j s no rea i relaxation of energy, either 

 among birds or plants. The reed and sedge warblers 

 are not so vociferous as they were a month ago, but 

 they are not the less intent on household cares. Of 

 all waterside birds, there is none that makes such a 

 brave display with such 'modest material as the reed 

 bunting (Emberiza schceniculus). The plumage of the 

 male bird is not greatly different in hue and arrange- 

 ment from that of the cock sparrow not the disre- 

 putable dingy London individual, but such as may be 

 seen in any country farmyard. The bunting's back, 

 however, is of a brighter brown, his jetty cap is 

 more jauntily worn, and the brilliance of his white 

 breast arid collar give him a far more dressy appear- 



