282 MY COUNTRY WANDERINGS 



hiding places and flit about the leafless bushes 

 like so many sulphur-yellow fairies celebrating a 

 glorious resurrection. 



After the comparatively dull Winter months, 

 when each day seems very much the same, and 

 outdoor life does not appear to change to any 

 appreciable extent, is it not refreshing to see the 

 sun shine high in the heavens, and to notice how 

 all things that live out of doors love the sun- 

 shine ? 



These early Butterflies hybernate all through 

 the Winter in some secluded retreat, and look 

 strangely out of place so early in the year, in their 

 beautiful sulphur coats. Their flight — consider- 

 ing the period of inactivity through which the 

 insects have passed — is quick, although somewhat 

 jerky; but I put it to you that after a six months' 

 rest indoors, without exercise, you would your- 

 self experience a certain amount of unsteadiness 

 on venturing out of doors again after so long a 

 rest! 



The Spring migrants of 1909 were late in coming, 

 and only the little Chifl Chaff was true to his 

 promise, and made his appearance before March 

 was out. It was a near go, for my diary reminds 

 me that the little feathered ambassador from over 

 the seas did not turn up until the last day of 

 March, and I was fortunate to hear and see the 

 bird during a heavy storm of rain. 



