294 MY COUNTRY WANDERINGS 



" That," I replied, " is the work of the Nut- 

 hatch. He has extracted the luscious kernels 

 from the nuts during the past Winter, and had 

 doubtless laid by a store for the lone Winter days. 

 He also feeds on Insects, Acorns, and Berries, and 

 is fond of Beechmast." 



"A very differential diet," said my friend; 

 ^' and, as you spoke of it storing up food for the 

 Winter, I presume it is a resident bird ? " 



" It is," I answered; " and I am glad to report 

 that so interesting a species is undoubtedly in- 

 creasing in this neighbourhood." 



" What a beautiful show of Primroses carpet the 

 ground around, and how green it is underfoot 

 from this curious plant, which is so very plentiful." 



" Yes, the Primroses are in their beauty now, 

 and that green flower of which you speak is the 

 Dog's Mercury, one of the commonest, as well as 

 one of the very earliest, of the woodland's Spring 

 flowers," I replied. 



" But here is a still more noticeable plant, with 

 bells of green and very attractive foliage. I never 

 remember seeing it before. What is that ? " 

 queried my friend. 



" That," I answered, " is the Green Hellebore, 

 also an early Spring flower, but not nearly so 

 common as its fellow of the woodlands, the Dog's 

 Mercury. Here, too, is the first Dog Violet I have 

 noticed in flower this Spring; but this season 



