242 rLIGHT OF BIRDS 



crocus satn us, the vernal and tlie autumnal crocus, whicli 

 have such an affinity, that the best botanists only make them 

 varieties of the same genus, of which there is only one 

 species, not being able to discern any difference in the 

 corolla, or in the internal structure. Yet the vernal crocus 

 expands its flowers by the beginning of March at farthest, 

 and often in very rigorous weather ; and cannot be retarded 

 but by some violence offered; while the autumnal (the 

 saffron) defies the influence of the spring and summer, and 

 will not blow till most plants begin to fade and run to seed. 

 This circumstance is one of the wonderR of the creation, 

 little noticed because a common occurrence , yet ought not 

 to be overlooked on account of its being familiar, since it 

 would be as difficult to be explained as the most stupen- 

 dous phenomenon in nature. 



" Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow 

 Congeal'd, the crocus' flamy bud to glow ? 

 Say, what retards, amidst the summer's blaze- 

 Th' autumnal bulb, till pale, declining days 1 

 The God of Seasons ; whose pervading power 

 Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower : 

 He bids each flower his quickening word obey. 

 Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay." 



LETTEE LXXXIY. 



TO THE SAME. 



Selborne, Aug. 7, 1778. 



" Omnibus animalibns reliquis certus et uniusmodi, et in suo cuique genere 

 incessus est; aves solae vario meatu feruutur, et in terra, et in aere." — Plin. 

 JJist. Nat. lib. X. cap. 38. 



All other animals have a certain, definite, and peculiar gait ; birds alone 

 move in a varied manner both on the ground and in the air. 



Deaii Sir, — A good ornithologist should be able to distin- 

 guish birds by their air, as well as by their colours and 

 shape, on the ground as well as on the wing, and in the 

 bush as well as in the hand. Eor, though it must not be 

 said that every species of bii'da has a manner peculiar to 



