CHAP. Ill Among the Birds in Wales 47 



fringe the banks — it is in the very height of the 

 glory of midland verdure that I always feel a strong 

 desire after light air and short grass. To mount to 

 some height overlooking the plain, where in an old 

 quarry the rock has been overgrown with thyme, or 

 where on the broad strips of grass that border the 

 road some remnants are stUl left of the old flora of 

 the down-land, is to me at this time always a delight 

 and a relief. Should there chance to be a corner 

 where a few tufts of heather still linger among the 

 furze-bushes, and where perhaps a little copse of 

 pines varies the almost wearisome landscape of 

 hedgerow elms and growing crops, then it is pleasant 

 to lie for a while and listen to the Linnets or watch 

 the handsome Stone-chat, picturing to oneself the 

 time when half England was like this little nook, 

 and when no one delighted in his wealth of wilder- 

 ness as I do in this scanty remnant. 



But for those who can get a holiday in June it 

 is possible to go farther away from heavy air and 

 sleepy days than to the top of the neighbouring hills. 

 In June the Alps are clothed in their wealth of 

 flowers, and every breath of air is laden, not with 

 rich sweet odours, but with dry, invigorating, aromatic 

 deliciousness ; and many a time have I made my 

 pilgrimage thither, to find the short grass I long for, 

 stiU uneaten by the cows, and gay with a thousand 

 blooms. Quite as enjoyable, and less far to seek, is 



