March 



thus early in the year insects are beginning to 

 fly about. 



Science has placed the flycatchers outside 

 the charmed circle of song-birds, and yet many 

 of their notes are distinctly musical. Science 

 and sentiment do not always agree as to what 

 really constitutes a song-bird. When there is 

 any wrangling between these two eminent 

 authorities upon that point, I find that I get 

 less truth but a deal more of satisfaction by 

 taking sides with sentiment. 



Life is stirring everywhere, above and below 

 ground. Along the water - courses lihaceous 

 plants are sprouting, and the simplocarpus fati- 

 dus — more euphonious than the English of it 

 — has protruded its coarse blossom from the 

 earth. This is the earliest of the rank vegeta- 

 tion, as if Nature, obliged to produce the mal- 

 odorous object, were minded to do it quickly 

 and have it done. 



And now, released from its narrow winter- 

 quarters, 



" The swan, with arched neck 

 Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows 

 Her state with oary feet ; " 



95 



