Seasonal Notes 



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part of England with which the writer has been acquainted, 

 soon after its being so thrown up, Coltsfoot is found growing 

 in more or less abundance. In all probability the seeds of 

 this plant have remained dormant for ages, till brought up 

 by this process to the surface, when light, air, heat and 

 moisture prompt their vegetation." 



A spell of mild weather frequently tempts some birds into 

 thinking that spring has really come, and often the mistake 

 ends in sorrow. Blackbirds, thrushes and robins are very 

 prone to carelessness in reading the calendar. Given a few 

 sunny days and they commence nesting ; by the time the eggs 

 are laid the cold weather has returned, and by the end of the 

 next week, if the thermometer continues low, the nest , is 

 abandoned. Sometimes mild conditions obtain long enough 

 for the eggs to be hatched, but two or three days' severe 

 weather brings about the death of the young birds. They 

 die of starvation, their parents being unable to obtain food 

 for them. A great many more birds die in winter time of 

 starvation than of actual cold. 



The Raven, if not the first, is one of the earliest birds 

 to nest in this country. Its nidification commences late in 

 February. The Tawny Owl also nests early, and with both 

 the young are hatched before the middle of March. These 

 birds are not like the robins and thrushes, dependent upon 

 insects and worms for food. They are carnivorous, and con- 

 sequently are not at a loss to obtain food for the family 

 even in severe weather. If no rodents are abroad they 

 prey upon small birds, and the raven is by no means averse 

 to a diet of young lamb. 



On March 2, 1905, four eggs of a tawny owl were found 

 upon the ground in a wood near Haslemere. The eggs~were 

 simply placed amongst the dead bracken in an open spot. 

 This owl has also been known to nest in rabbits' burrows. 

 Rooks return to their nesting places late in the month. 

 Partridges pair, and pheasants establish their harems. 



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