When he first calls his voice is short and somewhat rough, but in a few days it gains power.

Then the second syllable has a mellow ring: and as he cries from the tree, the note, swiftly repeated and echoed by the wood, dwells on the ear something like the 'hum' or vibration of a beautiful bell.
As the hedges become green the ivy leaves turn brown at the edge and fall; the wild ivy is often curiously variegated.

At the foot of the tree up which it climbs the leaves are five-angled, higher up they lose the angles and become rounded, though growing on the same plant.
Sometimes they have a grey tint, especially those that trail along the bank; sometimes the leaves are a reddish brown with pale green ribs.
By the brook now the meadow has become of a rich bright green, the stream has sunk and is clear, and the sunlight dances on the ripples.
The grasses at the edge--the turf--curl over and begin to grow down the steep side that a little while since was washed by the current.

Where there is a ledge of mud and sand the yellow wagtail runs; he stands on a stone and jerks his tail.
The ploughed field that comes down almost to the brook--a mere strip of meadow between--is green too with rising wheat, high enough now to hide the partridges.

Before it got so tall it was pleasant to watch the pair that frequent it; they were so confident that they did not even trouble to cower.