212 BIRDS AND MAN 



contrary, it is actually later by many days than 

 in the surrounding country. It is flowerless at a 

 time when, outside the forest, on southern banks 

 and by the hedge-side, in coppices and all sheltered 

 spots, the firsthngs of the year are seen — purple 

 and white and yellow. The woods, which are 

 composed almost entirely of beech and oak, are 

 leafless. The aspect on a duU cold day is some- 

 what cheerless. On the other hand, there is that 

 largeness and wildness which accord with the 

 spring mood ; and there are signs of the coming 

 change even in the greyest weather. Standing in 

 some wide green drive or other open space, you 

 see aU about you acres on acres, miles on miles, 

 of majestic beeches, and their upper branches 

 and network of terminal twigs, that look at a 

 distance like heavy banked-up clouds, are dusky 

 red and purple with the renewed life that is surging 

 in them. There are j ubilant cries of wUd creatures 

 that have felt the seasonal change far more keenly 

 than we are able to feel it. Above everything, 

 we find here that solitariness and absence of 

 human interest now so rare in England. For 

 albeit social creatures in the main, we are yet all 

 of us at times hermits in heart, if not exactly 



