522 MY GARDEN. 



America, when the animals hear the woodman's axe, they run to get 

 their share of the small shoots when the tree falls. On one occasion 

 my cattle barked a number of walnut-trees ; so that it is necessary to 

 protect all young trees from cattle. The wild rabbit is capable of 

 being tamed, when it becomes one of the most interesting of pets. 



We have not the Dormouse {Myoxus avellanarius), though I have 

 often seen it at Tunbridge. It makes a curious nest, somewhat like 

 that of a bird, which is often disclosed to view when the leaves drop, 

 when nest and dormouse may be taken at the same time. They are 

 common throughout Kent, and are also said to be found a few miles 

 below my garden. Those nests that I have found with the mouse 

 inside, appear to be completely closed, from which I infer that the 

 creature closes the aperture when it enters, and thus only a ball of 

 grass and leaves is exposed to view. 



I do not think that the Otter lives in the valley of the Wandle 

 at the present time, though two large ones were killed in Carshalton 

 Park a few years since, one of which was stuffed and kept in Bed- 

 'dington Hall. 



THE BIRDS. 



" I heard a thousand pleasant notes 

 While in a grove I sate reclined." 



Wordsworth. 



A garden, however lovely it may be, is never complete unless it 

 is plentifully tenanted with birds ; and every year it is a matter 

 of solicitude to me to know when the nightingale arrives, and how 

 many have taken up their abode in my garden. My son, who more 

 particularly notices the different species of birds, has observed about 

 104 in our garden ; and in Brewer's " Flora of Surrey," the names 

 of IIS species are recorded. Of those which have been noticed in 

 or near my garden, some are rare or accidental visitors, others merely 

 pass over in their migrations or wanderings. Many come from the 

 south to spend the summer, some from the north to pass the winter, 

 and others live with us all the year. 



