Hillside. 1 39 



strangely. We are not quite convinced even yet, for as 

 we are moving on a sudden thought strikes us, and we 

 look a third time, this time with very different eyes from 

 those we have been using. Ah, I thought so. That large 

 ball is far too regular for a piece of lichen-covered wood ! 

 It is a nest of the longtailed titmouse, but no doubt the 

 young ones have flown long ago. We turn into a cart track 

 between two fields, rarely used, as is evident from the 



FIG. 27. NEST OF LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE (Parus caudatus). 



luxuriance of the brambles and clematis, and from the 

 wealth of wild flowers, which give it a picturesqueness 

 rarely to be equalled even in this lovely spot. On one of the 

 thistle blossoms a Fritillary butterfly sits fanning its wings, 

 the upper sides of which show the black latticed markings 

 upon a rich fulvous ground, which are characteristic of this 

 group, whilst the undersides are brilliant with inlaid spots 

 of metallic silver let into a green and yellow frame. It is 

 called, from the green colour of the under side, the Dark 

 Green Fritillary, whilst its scientific name is Argynnis aglaia. 



