I 62 
NATURE NOTES 
have been pelted with pamphlets, adversely quoted, called many 
names, and slapped all over. But I am still alive, and have not 
even taken to my bed. And the reason is this, my faith in 
these publications is but little, for the contributors do not 
always know what they write about. Not long ago the editor 
of such a periodical about animals asked me to write an 
article on birds for him. To this I assented, if he would give 
me a contribution to rehang the bells in my church. In answer 
he said he could not give a donation, but suggested that my 
cause might be advanced by bringing into the article something 
about the ‘Rooks that lived in the belfry ! ! !’ To this I replied 
‘ Rooks in a belfry ! ! Do send me one and I will have it framed 
and glazed.’ If those who edit matter connected with the 
creatures round us do not know the difference between rooks 
and jackdaws, what can their opinions be worth ? I have been 
a sportsman in a mild way all my life, and have not yet got 
over my boyish liking for a rabbit pie, while a broiled trout is 
a rare treat. I shall continue to shoot the one and catch the 
other as opportunity serves. I will, however, discontinue so to 
do if those who object will try and meet me. There are number- 
less interesting creatures in a drop of water which I have every 
reason to believe thoroughly enjoy their innocent and, no doubt, 
useful existence. Will my objectors give up tea drinking and 
using hot water ? For every time they heat water they condemn 
millions of creatures to be boiled to death. But as they like 
their tea and prefer hot to cold water on a frosty morning, thej' 
do not scruple to take life in a wholesale manner. Where do 
they draw the line between boiled rabbit and boiled bacillus ? ” 
NATURE IN AUTUMN. 
URING spring and summer Nature has been too earnest 
about her work, in spite of blossoms and green leaves, 
to devote herself entirely to please us with colours ; 
but now the shoot has hardened, the bark looks 
strained at the seams, the blossom has produced seed, the corn 
been gathered into peaked ricks, the hive stored with honey, 
and the floors of our barns are strewn with apples and pears. 
There is nothing left for Nature but to enrapture us by conjuring 
a spectacle from the disused material which cumbers her work- 
shop, while mists attend, like curtains, lest the picture should 
be too glaring. Eden must have sighed for autumnal tints, and 
the serpent did good, as well as evil, when he transferred Eve’s 
blushes to the foliage. 
Here is an oak throttled with ivy. Afar sounds the hum of 
insect-wings. We find bees taking the last honey of the season, 
