JANUARY.PLANT LIFE. General.—As in December (p. 422). Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, daisy, snowdrop, and a few others. ANIMAL LIFE. General.—As in December (p. 422). Mammals.—Bats (p. 255) reappear at the end of the month. Birds.—Missel thrush (p. 306) sings. Insects.—Winter pupae of butterflies and moths (Chap. XIX.) may be found. FEBRUARY.PLANT LIFE. General.—As in December. Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, daisy, snowdrop, hazel, and a few others. Hedges are now clipped; study the effect which this treatment has upon subsequent growth. Corn.— Barley and oats are sown. Liverworts.—Spore-cases of Pellia (p. 200) become visible. ANIMAL LIFE. General.—As in December. Mammals.—Bats reappear. Birds.—Thrushes and blackbirds pair and begin to build; study differences in song (pp. 304 and 308). Rooks repair and build nests (p. 318). Frogs. (p. 332) reappear. Insects.—Pupae of cabbage-white butterflies and other Lepidoptera may be found. MARCH.PLANT LIFE. General Work for Spring Months.—Study the germination of seeds and the early stages of growth of the new plants (Chap. I.); the structure and methods of unfolding of buds (Chaps. IV. and VIII.); the movements of young twining stems; “bleeding” of stems, and paths of food-currents (Chap. V.); and examine and collect spring flowers (Chaps. VI., VII., and VIII.). Plants usually in flower—Shepherd’s purse, marsh marigold, wild plum, daisy, dandelion, daffodil, snowdrop, hazel, alder, willow, poplar, elm, and others. Horsetail.—Fertile haulms (p. 195) appear. Corn.—Barley and oat sowing continued. ANIMAL LIFE. General Work for Spring Months.—Study the development of frogs and toads (Chap. XVIII.) and insects (Chap. XIX.); the development and education of the chick (Chap. XVI.); the nesting-habits of birds (Chap. XVII.); the education and play of lambs and other young mammals (Chap. XIV.); the habits of molluscs (Chap. XX.); and the work of earthworms (Chap. XX.). Stock aquaria. Mammals.—Lambs are born. Birds.—Thrushes, blackbirds, skylarks, rooks, and other birds lay eggs. Fieldfares and redwings begin to depart. Frogs and Toads lay their eggs. Insects.—Dytiscus (p. 361) lays eggs. Pupae of cabbage-white butterflies and other Lepidoptera may be found. APRIL.PLANT LIFE. Plants usually in flower.—Wallflower, shepherd’s purse, buttercup, anemone, marsh marigold, common vetch, plum, pear, strawberry, primrose, cowslip, daisy, dandelion, speedwell, red deadnettle, daffodil, wild hyacinth, wild tulip, rushes, arum, annual meadow grass, oak, birch, alder, willow, poplar, elm, ash, and others. Trees which unfold their leaf-buds.—Larch, horse chestnut, beech, elm, sycamore. Elm fruits (p. 154) are abundant; study the method of dispersal (p. 173). Corn.—Barley and oat sowing continued. ANIMAL LIFE. Birds.—Sand-martins, cuckoos, swallows, house-martins, nightingales, swifts, and other birds arrive. Kestrels and sparrow-hawks nest. Fieldfares and redwings depart. Frogs and Toads.—Tadpoles hatch. Insects.—Cabbage-white butterflies (p. 362) and other Lepidoptera emerge from pupae. Caterpillars are plentiful. Moths may be taken on willow flowers at beginning of month. Larvae of Dytiscus (p. 361) and other aquatic insects may be found in ponds. Molluscs.—Garden snails (p. 379) reappear. MAY.PLANT LIFE. Plants usually in flower.—Wallflower, shepherd’s purse, buttercup, anemone, marsh marigold, laburnum, common vetch, red clover, white clover, broom, cherry, apple, pear, strawberry, hawthorn, primrose, cowslip, daisy, dandelion, speedwell, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, lily of the valley, wild hyacinth, star of Bethlehem, wild tulip, rushes, sedges, arum, sweet-scented vernal grass, slender foxtail, meadow foxtail, annual meadow grass, perennial rye grass, oak, beech, birch, willow, elm, horse-chestnut, ash, sycamore, and others. Most forest trees are now in leaf. Liverworts.—Spore-cases of Pellia (p. 200) open. ANIMAL LIFE. Birds.—Swallows build nests. Most birds are incubating eggs (Chap. XVI.). Frogs and Toads.—Tadpoles may be found in ponds. Insects.—Moths and butterflies are common. Cabbage-whites lay eggs. Caterpillars of tiger-moth (p. 364) and other Lepidoptera may be found. Aquatic insect-larvae in ponds. JUNE.PLANT LIFE. General Work for Summer Months.—Study the forms and duties of leaves (Chap. III.); and the thickening of stems (Chap. V.). Examine, identify, and collect grasses (Chap. VII.) and summer flowers (Chap. VI.), and make observations upon cross-pollination of flowers by insects (Chap. VI.). Study the development and structure of fruits (Chap. IX.); and the life-history of ferns (Chap. X.). Compare and contrast mushrooms and toadstools (Chap. XI.). Plants usually in flower.—Wallflower, shepherd’s purse, buttercup, anemone, meadow vetchling, common vetch, red clover, white clover, broom, wild rose, hawthorn, poison hemlock, cow parsnip, carrot, daisy, dandelion, speedwell, mullein, snapdragon, thyme, sage, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, lily of the valley, wild hyacinth, star of Bethlehem, rushes, sedges, sweet-scented vernal grass, slender foxtail, meadow foxtail, Timothy grass, Yorkshire fog, wild oat, annual meadow grass, smooth-stalked meadow grass, rough-stalked meadow grass, meadow fescue, sheep’s fescue, perennial rye grass, couch grass, lime, sycamore, and others. Lime leaves unfold. Fruits of strawberry, willow, and other plants are ripe. Haymaking begins. ANIMAL LIFE. 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. 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. 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. SEPTEMBER.PLANT LIFE. General Work for Autumn Months.—Study the storage of food in twigs, underground stems, bulbs, etc. (Chaps. IV. and V.); collect good specimens of leaves showing autumn colours, observe the phenomena of leaf-fall and the formation of vegetable mould, and notice the order in which forest trees become leafless (Chaps. IV. and VIII.). Study the development and structure of fruits, and the methods of dispersal of seeds (Chap. IX.). Make collections of dry fruits (Chap. IX.), and of the “seed” of useful and injurious grasses (Chap. VII.). Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, buttercup, meadow vetchling, red clover, white clover, blackberry, hedge parsley, water dropwort, daisy, dandelion, thistle, foxglove, speedwell, snapdragon, musk, mint, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, slender foxtail, annual meadow grass, and others. Ash and horse chestnut leaves fall. Fruits of apple, pear, plum, blackberry, and other plants are ripe. Corn.—Wheat-sowing begins. Fungi.— Mushrooms and toadstools may be found. ANIMAL LIFE. General Work for Autumn Months.—Study the various methods by which animals prepare for the winter: e.g. migration of birds, hibernation of bats, frogs, insects, etc.; change of colour or thickness of coat, storage of food, etc. Birds.—Swallows and house-martins congregate. Sand-martins and nightingales depart. Rooks go into winter quarters. Young song-birds may be heard learning to sing. Insects.—Moths may be taken on ivy blossoms, etc. Eggs of cabbage-white butterflies may be found. Caterpillars are mostly full-fed and ready to pupate. Pupae of vapourer moth may be found. OCTOBER.PLANT LIFE. Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, white clover, daisy, dandelion, snapdragon, red deadnettle, white deadnettle, slender foxtail, and others. Most forest-trees shed their leaves. Fruits of apple, pear, plum, and other plants are ripe. Corn.—Wheat-sowing continued. ANIMAL LIFE. Birds.—Young song-birds may be heard learning to sing. Fieldfares and redwings arrive. Swallows and house-martins depart. Drakes reassume their distinctive plumage. Frogs hibernate (p. 334). Insects.—October is the best month for pupa hunting. NOVEMBER.PLANT LIFE. Plants usually in flower.—Shepherd’s purse, daisy, white deadnettle, and others. Most forest-trees are now leafless. Fruits of hawthorn, rose, holly, mistletoe, etc., are ripe. Corn.—Wheat-sowing continued. ANIMAL LIFE. Mammals.—Bats hibernate (p. 257). Birds.—Larks patrol fields in flocks (p. 318). Insects.—Pupae may be found. DECEMBER.PLANT LIFE. General Work for Winter Months.—Arrange collections of flowers, grasses, leaves, etc. Study the methods of branching, and the bark, of trees, and make drawings of typical examples (Chap. VIII.). Examine bulbs and corms, (Chap. V.) and grow them in water-glasses. Trace the water-conducting strands in the flower-stalks of snowdrop, narcissus, etc. (Chap. V.). Flowers of daisy, white deadnettle, and a few others may be found. Fruits of mistletoe, holly, etc., are ripe. ANIMAL LIFE. General Work for Winter Months.—Prepare skeletons, etc., and study the structure and manner of life of rabbits, poultry, and pigeons (Chaps. XII., XIII., and XV.). In snowy weather, examine and draw the footprints of domestic and other animals (Chap. XIV.). Place grain, crumbs, suet, and other food for birds, and identify those which come to feed (Chap. XVII.). Birds.—Missel-thrush sings. Sparrow-hawks may be seen near farms. Insects.—Pupae may be found. |