The Field Naturalist's 

 Quarterly 



Vol. II. MAY 1903. No. 6. 



Editorials. 



The great annual miracle — as Longfellow terms the advent 

 of spring — is upon us once more, with its ever-recurring 

 promise of life and continuity. He must be a dullard, in- 

 deed, to whom the general reawakening of plant and animal, 

 herb and insect, bird and butterfly, does not suggest thoughts 

 of wonder, gratitude, and hope. It is, indeed, a common- 

 place that every section of the community rejoices in the 

 mere fact that spring has come, even if they be so situated 

 that their daily life is not in any marked measure affected 

 thereby. Few are so indifferent to their surroundings as 

 not to feel some sense of reinvigoration when they find all 

 things giving evidence of new life ; but of all people it is the 

 true nature lover, the observant and cultured field naturalist, 

 to whom the season means most. Whatever be his special 

 hobby, now is the time for renewing his observations and 

 comparing them with those of former years, and with those 

 of his fellow-workers. Not many years ago those workers 

 were comparatively few in number, and outside the ranks of 

 the workers there were fewer still who were interested in the 

 results. At the present moment the outdoor observer may 

 vol. 11. — no. 6. G 



