The past twenty–five years, it is to be feared, have told as heavily upon the Lepidoptera as upon the primroses and the cowslips, the latter also now far between. The birds, likewise, have greatly diminished in numbers, partly in consequence of the extreme severity of the trio of hard winters which commenced with that of 1878–9. We have also to lament the death of Mr. Edleston.
CHAPTER III. ROSTHERNE MERE.
When the month of May Is come, and I can hear the small birds sing, And the fresh flourès have begun to spring, Good bye, my book! devotion, too, good bye!
