these grounds. There were no flowers
or artificial groups of trees shrubs.
It reminded me of our Payson place.
Birds swarmed. The trees were alive
with them, the majority Tits I
thought. There were also Wrens and
Robins, both singing freely & delightfully.
Finally reached Fountains Abbey and
spent about 3 hours exploring it
and feasting our eyes on its many
beauties. It is unique, a noble
ruin impressive & beautiful beyond
belief. All the time we were there
Robins & Wrens were singing constantly. 
Sev[e]ral Pigeon (C. [Columba] aenas [sic] [oenas]) flying about
the town where they nest. Keeper 
says Barn Owl have nested up to
last year but they have been shot
mercilessly & are now exterminated.
Returning saw a Moor Hen cross a 
lawn on a hillside far from any water.
Lunch at Unicorn 2 P.M. then
inspected Ripon Cathedral with its Saxon
crypt ( 7th Century). 4.47 P.M. train to Durham.
Durham
Aug. 25. Cloudy with heavy rain.
Spent the forenoon at the Cathedral.
A plain building outside, but the
interior, although severely simple, of stupendous
beauty. There were many Martins & a
few Jackdaws flying about the towers.
On the bank of the river just below
the city bridge a Cormorant, doubtless
a tame bird, was sitting apparently
in no wise fettered and certainly
not in any way confined.
  In the afternoon we went to the
Cathedral again to the service &
afterwards visited the castle, an
interesting building in fine preservation
with much Norman architecture &
a Norman crypt.