Birds.—Most birds are hatching eggs. First brood of swallows hatched at end of month. Drake’s plumage becomes similar to duck’s (p. 329). Frogs and Toads.—Tadpoles reach full size. Insects.—All stages of Lepidoptera very abundant. Caterpillars of tiger-moth (p. 364) pupate at end of month. Vapourer caterpillars (p. 364) may be found at end of month. Larvae of aquatic insects in ponds; pupae of Dytiscus (p. 361) in soil on banks. [Pg 412] JULY. PLANT LIFE. Plants in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, candytuft, buttercup, meadow vetchling, red clover, white clover, wild rose, blackberry, poison hemlock, water hemlock, cow parsnip, carrot, hedge parsley, fool’s parsley, water dropwort, daisy, dandelion, thistle, foxglove, speedwell, snapdragon, mullein, musk, mint, thyme, sage, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, rushes, slender foxtail, Timothy grass, Yorkshire fog, wild oat, annual meadow grass, smooth-stalked meadow grass, rough-stalked meadow grass, meadow fescue, sheep’s fescue, couch grass, Spanish chestnut, lime, and others. Fruits of gooseberry, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and other plants are ripe. Ferns.—Spores of male-fern, bracken, and hart’s tongue are ripe (Chap. X.). Fungi.—Mushrooms (p. 203) and toadstools may be found. ANIMAL LIFE. Mammals.—Lambs are weaned. Birds.—Many birds are hatching second broods. Old cuckoos begin to depart at end of month. Poultry moult. Young wild ducks may be seen in water meadows. Frogs and Toads.—Young animals leave ponds. Insects.—Cabbage-white caterpillars pupate. Tiger moths (p. 369) emerge from pupae at end of month. Caterpillars of vapourer moth (p. 364) may be found. [Pg 413] [Pg 414] AUGUST. PLANT LIFE. Plants in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, candytuft, buttercup, meadow vetchling, red clover, white clover, wild rose, blackberry, water hemlock, cow parsnip, carrot, hedge parsley, fool’s parsley, water dropwort, daisy, dandelion, thistle, foxglove, speedwell, snapdragon, mullein, musk, mint, thyme, sage, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, rushes, slender foxtail, Timothy grass, Yorkshire fog, wild oat, annual meadow grass, couch grass, and others. Leaves of horse chestnut begin to fall. Fruits of cherry, plum, raspberry, and other plants are ripe. Corn.—Wheat, oats, and barley harvests begin. Ferns.—Spores of male-fern, bracken, and hart’s tongue are ripe. Fungi.—Mushrooms and toadstools may be found. ANIMAL LIFE. Birds.—Swifts and old cuckoos depart. Many rooks go into winter quarters. Nightingales begin to depart. Sand-martins congregate. Song-birds are comparatively silent. Insects.—All stages of vapourer moth may be found. [Pg 415] [Pg 416] SEPTEMBER. PLANT LIFE.