I 12 
NATURE NOTES. 
they seem to have all they want, river, woods, downs, gorse, 
commons, &c. — no wonder we have so many varieties. In a 
narrow stream is the kingfisher, in a meadow close by terns have 
been seen at intervals all last winter and this summer. In 1882 
quails bred on the farm, and it was on this farm in Itchen Stoke 
that a pair of Pallas sand grouse were (alas !) shot in the spring 
of 1885. Yellow wagtails are occasionally seen, goldcrests revel 
in the Scotch firs, and I think there are few places that can 
boast a greater variety of small birds. Although we have been 
here twelve years, only once — in 1887 — have nightingales come 
close to the house, in that year we had several. 
Stoke Manor, Alresford. M. J. E. 
CORRUGATED IRON. 
jF the many modern innovations which have done so 
I much to mar and destroy the beauty of the country, 
not one has brought about such disastrous effects as 
the use of corrugated iron for roofing and building 
purposes. Its employment is becoming more and more general, 
and one’s feelings are continually being harassed by the discovery 
of some fresh spot whose rustic grace and beauty have been 
completely destroyed by the intrusion of this hideous staring 
abomination ; on whose ugliness, moreover, time has no amelior- 
ating effect. The crude colour of new brick and tile soon dis- 
appears under the beautifying touch of nature, the growth of 
lichens and mosses gradually producing a variety of pleasing 
and harmonious tints. Even slate, after a time, and in favour- 
able situations, falls more or less under nature’s kindly influence, 
and its cold monotonous hue becomes varied and enlivened by 
patches of yellow lichen ; but neither time nor anything else can 
ever convert corrugated iron into a thing of beauty. Into scenes 
of otherwise perfect harmony it introduces a screaming discord. 
Vegetation in general seems to have a strong antipathy to 
iron, and carefully avoids contact with it. No moss or lichen 
will have anything to do with these widely used “ galvanised 
roofing sheets,” nor can the hope be entertained that ivy or any 
other creeping plant will ever spread a mantle of greenery over 
their glaring ugliness. 
The substitution of iron for wood, stone or brick has in other 
directions done much to deface the appearance of the country. 
In the case of “ dead ” fences alone, how far more fit and 
pleasing to look upon were the old riven oak palings, once so 
general, than the obtrusive stretches of iron fencing which have 
so, largely supplanted them, and which now deface so many 
linglish parks and meadows. Their harsh, rigid and assertive 
lines .serve to draw away the eye from those subtle curves and 
undulations of surface, which a rough post and rail fence would 
