TABLE OF CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

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xiii

JANUARY. Characteristics of the Season Prevalence of

Darkness-Snows-Intense Frost-Snow-storms in the

Mountains-Pleasures of the British Fireside - Miseries

of the Poor-Continued Frost-Immense destruction of

Vermin, Birds, etc. at this season Bird-moping-

Walking in frosty weather-Glazed Frost, its dangerous

effects-The Hoar Frost, its beauty-Winter Flowers

Occasional intervals of mild weather, its effect- Remark-

able change of the Winter Season-January, why so called

by the Latins; its Saxon name - Physical defence of

Plants from frost-The Throstle, the Nuthatch-Reappear-

ance of Worms and Slugs-Hedge-sparrows, Thrush, and

Blackbird sing-Hens lay-Early Lambs-Habits of

various Birds-Rural Occupations-Angling-Migration

of Birds-The Garden-Calendar of Garden Flowers-

Entomological Calendar

FEBRUARY. Characteristics-Wet-Great Thaw-Damps

-Winds-Storm on the Coast-Symptoms of Spring-

February, its name— - Habits of Birds, etc.-Budding of

Trees-Dissected Leaves-Moles, and Mole-catchers-

Rural Occupations-Angling-Migration of Birds-Ca-

lendar of Garden Flowers-Botanical and Entomological

Calendars

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MARCH. Lays of the Seasons, No. 1, Spring. Characteris-

tics-Winds-Progress of Vernal appearances-Vernal

sensations-Mornings in March-Rural objects—Snail-

shells-Young Herbs-Rhubarb - March, its name—

Awakening of dormant animals-Various appearances of

animals and vegetables - The Primrose-Starlings -

Rural Occupations - Angling - Migration of Birds -

Calendar of Garden Flowers-Botanical and Entomolo-

gical Calendars

APRIL. Characteristics - Progress of Vegetation-Vernal
Crocuses - Trees in blossom Return of migratory
Birds-Birds' nests and eggs-Their beauty and pictu-
resque situations—April, its name—Description of Spring
by Gawain Douglas-Leafing of Trees a directory for
sowing-Habits of animals this month-Satanic footsteps
-Rural Occupations-Angling-Migration of Birds-

Calendar of Garden Flowers-Botanical and Entomolo-

gical Calendars

MAY.

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Characteristics-Flowers of woods, waters, and
heaths-Beautiful appearance of Woods-Pleasant pro-
spects at the end of the month- Fulness of Foliage
Depth and richness of Grass-Cottage Gardens-Haw-
horns-The Nightingale-Flowers-The love of them

natural to children-Moral emblems with all nations-

Use of them among the Greeks-the Hebrews - The

beautiful illustration they afforded to Christ-Flowers in

the Desert-The use of them in the East-in Italy-Pre-

sent taste for the cultivation of Flowers-May, its name

-The Wayfaring Tree - Benting-time of Pigeons

Leafing of Trees completed-Bees, their swarms- -Po-

pular customs regarding them-Rural Occupations

Angling Migration of Birds - Calendar of Garden

Flowers Botanical and Entomological Calendars 103

JUNE. Lays of the Seasons, No. 2, Summer-Darkening
hues of Foliage-Variety and beauty of Foliage - The
Horse-chestnut-Beauty of June weather-Universal life,

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greenness and vigour-Cruel and wanton havoc made
amongst young birds at this season-Gardens in their
prime-Summer pleasures-Delicious evenings-Mowing
-Green Fruits-Grasses in flower - Hay-harvest com-
mencing - Summer Floods-Sheep-shearing, its ancient
festivities Wild Flowers and their old names Holy
Flowers-June, its name-Midsummer Flowers - Fern
Owl-Rural Occupations-Angling-Migration of Birds
-Calendar of Garden Flowers-Botanical and Entomo-
logical Calendars
JULY. Characteristics Hay-harvest

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Remarks on old

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sports-Progress of knowledge-Silence of Birds-Boys
taking Wasps'-nests-Hornets-Twining Plants-Sum-
mer Flowers-The pleasantness and beauty, and the
curious productions of Heaths-Woods-The Bird-Boy—
Field-paths
their pleasant associations Picturesque
characters-Poets and Field-paths - Paths among the
Mountains-Stiles and their varieties- The Domine and
the Turnstile-Gradual disappearance of Field-paths —
Encroachments of the rich upon the poor-July, its name
-Periodical appearances, animal and vegetable-Rural
Occupations-Angling-Migration of Birds - Calendar
of Garden Flowers-Botanical and Entomological Calen-
179
Characteristics-Corn-harvest-Pleasant scenes
in the harvest-field —Picturesque features of Harvest as
given in the Bible Harvesters - Harvest-home-Har-
Second budding of Trees-Refreshed ver-
dure and flowers of the Fields-Singular preservation of
Seeds in the earth-Aquatic vegetation - Habits of the
Water-rat- The Land-rail-Combat between a Rabbit
and Weasel-Young Frogs-Mushrooms-Hedge-fruit-
White Fogs-Sea-side Rambles - Field Sports-Re-
markable appearance of clouds, August 1827- August,
its name

dars
AUGUST.

vest-moon

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Periodical appearances in the month - Hop-

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gathering-Tusser's rules for Hop Grounds-Origin of
Fairy Rings-Rural Occupations-Angling-Migration
of Birds - Calendar of Garden Flowers - Botanical and
Entomological Calendars
SEPTEMBER. Lays of the Seasons, No. 3, Autumn—Sports-
man's preparations, his pleasures, his unconscious love of
Nature, his picturesque haunts - The Hunter, a poem-
Mountains, their effect on the imagination, on the cha-
racter of their inhabitants — On the liberty of Nations
Lonely and simple life among Mountains-The magni-
ficence and variety in mountain scenery- Geometric
Spider Gossamer-Beauty of Autumnal landscape-
The transparency of the Atmosphere-Swallows preparing
for departure Singing of young Birds - Nutting - Vil-
leggiatura-Description of a Nutting excursion-Fungi,
their beauty and variety ― September, its name— - Saffron
-Apple-gathering-Sea-side-Beauty of submarine pro-
ductions- Rural Occupations - Angling - Migration of
Birds-Calendar of Garden Flowers-Botanical and En-
tomological Calendars
OCTOBER. Characteristics Autumnal glooms-Orchards
cleared of fruit - Splendour of wood scenery-Delights of
the Woods-Estimation of Woods among the Ancients
-Poetical associations of Woods - Beauty of Trees,
their effect upon the mind of certain great men-Trees,
as mentioned in the Bible - Celebrated Trees of modern
times-Devotional influence of Woods - Gorgeous ap-
pearance of Woods previous to the fall of the leaf - The
Green-wood, a poem - October, its name-Dissemination
of Plants, curious contrivances in seeds for that purpose-
Rural Occupations-Angling-Migration of Birds-Ca-
lendar of Garden Flowers - Botanical Calendar 271
NOVEMBER. Gloom of November- Ossian- Storms and
Mists Introduction to complete Winter - Desolate as-
pect of Gardens Influence of the Season on different

241

minds

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Arrival of Field fares and Redwings - Occa-
sional fine days-First appearance of Winter-Frost and
Snow- Amusements in Snow - Fireside employments
in farmhouses and cottages-Bird-catching-Singing
Birds in cages, selfishness of the practice-Daily Way-
farers-November, its name-Moles retire to their nests—

Salmon ascend the rivers-Attention requisite for Bees

and Pigeons-Various animals seek their winter retreats

-Birds'-nests occupied by Mice-Rural Occupations-

Angling - Migration of Birds Calendar of Garden

285

Flowers

DECEMBER. Lays of the Seasons, No. 4, Winter-Descrip-
tion of Winter by Gawain Douglas-Desolate aspect of
Nature-Disappearance of many varieties of living things
-Men resort to towns and to their houses-Families col-
lected-The Author and his literary labours-Beauty of
Winter-Moonlight and starry skies, they inspire solemn
feelings and ideas-Concluding remarks-December, its

name-Evergreens- Winter Fruit-Rural Occupations

-Angling-Calendar of Garden Flowers-Migration of

Birds All Seasons welcome

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