CHAPTER XXXI. 



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. 



While mild and May-like enough in tlie valleys and along the 

 coast line, the weather [May 1 872] is reported as having more of 

 March than May about it on the uplands, owing to the prevalence 

 of north-easterly winds, that are at once exceedingly piercing and 

 unseasonably snell. It is pleasant at the same time to have to 

 report that, so far, crops of all kinds look extremely well, and have 

 seldom been seen so forward in mid-May. Potatoes have been 

 distinguishable from field's end to field's end in regular drills for 

 ten days past, and in some instances are already undergoing their 

 first weeding and hoeing. Oats show a strong, healthy braird, and 

 nothing but a deficiency of moisture in its present stage can prevent 

 ryegrass from being the best crop that has been known in the 

 West Highlands for many years. Much, however, will depend on 

 the nature of the weather for the next fortnight : those who should 

 know best say that the country would be all the better of more or 

 less rain on every day for the remainder of the month, and we 

 daresay they are right. The lambing season has hitherto been a 

 highly favourable one, though the drought and the keen-edged 

 easterly winds are beginning to be complained of by shepherds in 

 charge of upland hirsels. As we write, however, there is appear- 

 ance of rain, which cannot fail to be attended by a change of wind 

 to a more genial airt, and it is hoped it may fall abundantly. The 

 summer, by the way, is likely to be a hot and dry one, if there be 



