THE WOODLAND IN MARCH 287 



fresh green of the Elder and the Wild Cherry; 

 the delicate bells of the Snowdrops in the old 

 orchard; the rich red tints on the twigs and 

 branches; the Hornbeam fast losing its Summer 

 tresses, for the new leaves are quickly forming 

 and pushing off the old garb of a bygone season. 



Primroses and Cowslips are now showing above 

 ground; the green sheen on the Brambles — an 

 apt illustration of the glories of light and shade — 

 is one of the chief treasures in the woodland just 

 at this season; whilst after a shower of rain or a 

 heavy dew, the dewdrops glisten in the sunbeams 

 like so many gorgeous sparkling gems. 



Spring is in the air. Nature lovers know the 

 delight of that first experience of early Spring: it 

 cannot be written about, it must be felt to be 

 appreciated. 



No Summer visitors have reached us at the time 

 of writing — if we except a female Blackcap which 

 was seen in the district towards the end of 

 February, a truly phenomenal occurrence — but 

 the likeness of two of the notes of the mimicking 

 Great Tit or Oxeye to those of the Chiff Chaff 

 reminds us that the little herald from the Mediter- 

 ranean will soon be due, and from now onward 

 the careful student of wild life has one continuous 

 round of unalloyed pleasure before him. 



Many wild plants blossom during March. The 

 bright yellow of the Coltsfoot will star the earth. 



