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PRACTICAL ORNITHOLOGY. 



FOURTH LESSON. 



RETURN OF SPRING. ARRIVAL OF SUMMER VISITANTS. BIRD-NESTING, 

 DIRECTIONS FOR PRESERVING EGGS, NESTS, AND SKINS OF BIRDS. CON- 

 CLUSION. 



The howl of the wintry blast among the leafless twigs has 

 ceased, and the gentle gales of the south fan the pendulous 

 catkins of the alders that overhang the stream, and steal over 

 the pale flowers of the primrose that cluster on the sunny bank. 

 The Fieldfare and Redwing, reminded by the increasing w^armth 

 of the woods and vales of their native land, prej)are to commence 

 their adventurous flight to the wild shores of the northern 

 ocean ; w^hile, to occupy their place, a multitude of small birds 

 from the southern regions are on wing. Already the Wheatear 

 and Willow Wren have arrived, and in a few days the vicinity 

 of the towns and villages will be enlivened by the Swallows, 

 which will seek their former haunts, and in due time repair 

 their mud-built tenements in the corners of the window^s. 



It is a lovely April day. All over the pale blue sky are 

 scattered fleecy tufts of white vapour, buds of beauty are burst- 

 ing from the earth, and the distant waterfall fills the valley 

 wdth its soothing murmur. How delightful the scenery of 

 these wild hills, where from the rift of the lichen-crusted crag 

 juts out the rowan, whose elegantly pinnated foliage is fast 

 unfolding ; where, scattered along the broken steep, are seen 

 the white-stemmed birches, with their drooping twigs and 

 glistening leaflets ; while the hillocks are crowned with blos- 

 somed furze ; and the smooth w^aters of the deep lake send back 

 the wooded banks and the heath-clad heights ! 



High over head wheels in wanton mazes the joyous Snipe, 

 piping its singular song, and anon drumming on tremulous 

 wing, as it shoots aslant. The shrill scream of the Curlew is 



