CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XXA^in. 



PAGE 



Wild Birds' Nests in early April — Rook stealing Eggs frightened and 

 almost captured — The Domestic Cook — What he was, and what he is 

 — Sadly demoralised by intermixture with "Cochin-Chinas" and 

 "Bramahpootras,'" ......... 165 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



The Vernal Equinox — Beauty of Loch Leven— Astronomical Notes — 

 How an old Woman supposed to pos.'iess the Evil Eye escaped a 

 cruel death, .......... 172 



CHAPTER XXX. 



Midges and other Bloodsuckers — The Tsetse of South Africa — The 

 Abyssinian Zimb — Livingstone — Adders and Grass Snakes — Lucan's 

 Pharsalia — Celsus — Legend of St. John aiite Portam Latin^m, . 173 



CHAPTER XXXL 



The Leafing of the Oak and Ash — Splendid Stags' Heads — Edmund 

 Waller — Old Silver-Plate buried for preservation in the '45 — 

 Mimicry in Birds — An accomplished Goldfinch, . . . . 185 



CHAPTER XXXIL 



Potato Culture — Sensibility of the Potato Shaw to Weather changes — 

 The Carline Thistle — Burns — The true Carchius Srnttirus — The old 

 Dog-Rhyme, 302 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



A non-*' Laughing " Summer — Rheumatic Pains — Old Gaelic Incan- 

 tation for Cattle Ailments, . . . . . . . . 199 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



Early sowing recommended— Vitality of Superstitions — Capnomancy — 

 Hazel Nuts : Frequent References to in Gaelic Poetry — How best to 

 get at the full flavour of a ripe Hazel Nut, 204 



