AUGUST 173 



Northern Europe and Arctic America, which, owing to 

 milder winters, has given up the practice of donning 

 white, or partially white, plumage in winter. Be that 

 as it may, the plucky little game bird is with many a 

 sportsman the central figure in memories of halcyon 

 days, sweet with the scent of heather-bells and bog 

 myrtle, redolent of the reek of peat-smoke from the 

 keeper's cottage, reminiscent of the long line of beaters 

 working down towards the butts, of the clever working 

 of the dogs when an off-day is given to " walking them 

 up." The object of a pursuit which brings health and 

 happiness, esteemed in death and treated to post- 

 humous honours, long may the grouse-cock remain 

 the glory of north-country moorlands. 



CALENDAR FOR AUGUST. 



August 1st. — Chaffinch's summer song heard. 

 „ 3rd. — Ring Doves flocking. 

 „ 4th. — Young Spotted Flycatchers of late brood 



leave the nest. 

 „ 8th. — Starlings begin to sing from the chimney-pots. 

 „ nth.-r- Young Barn Owls snoring in the nest. 

 „ 12th. — Young Turtle Doves still in the nest. 

 „ 13th. — Many Swifts seen on migration. 



Hawfinch at mountain-ash berries. 

 „ 14th. — Young Yellow-hammers still in the nest. 

 Herons still come from their nests. 



