VI 



It is the opinion of the writer, that those who pass 

 through life without stopping to admire the beauty, organization, 

 melody, or habits of Birds, rob themselves of a very great share of 

 the pleasures of existence. In spring, when Nature has recovered 

 from the chilling blasts of winter, and again puts forth her rich 

 foliage, what can be more delightful than to listen to the rich 

 melody of our songsters, robed in their nuptial plumage, perched 

 on the branch of the rich magnolia, arranging their splendid at- 

 tire with studied care, as if jealous that the swelling buds would 

 put forth blossoms that would rival them in beauty ? Joyous in- 

 deed is it to watch the gay Humming Bird sporting around the 

 fragrant honeysuckle, fearless of man, as if conscious of its inno- 

 cence — little knowing that its small but brilliant body is more 

 highly prized by him than the cumbrous form of the Vulture, here 

 sipping the dew-drops made fragrant through the agency of the 

 rose — there probing the peony to extract its insect prey, or hover- 

 ing round the closed bud of the lily, impatiently waiting for the 

 unfolding of its swelling leaflets, to revel in its luxuriance ? 



The Water Birds, though not possessed of the bright plumage 

 and sweetly-toned voice of the gaily-attired minstrels confined to 

 the land, have their charms. Pleasing is it when invited by the invigor- 

 ating breeze, to visit the sea-shore^ — or perchance, when rambling 

 along the borders of our great lakes, to mark how beautifully the 

 providence of Nature is developed in the well-adapted forms to the 

 habits of the " Water Fowl," and also to observe tlie regular order 

 in which large flocks move whenj}s0^mg, at the approach of 

 winter, to a more genm^^Sw^— Trom whence, in early spring, 

 they retflT'ii t'o'tlTe''* great nursery" at the North. It is also inter- 

 esting to notice the various shades of plumage, from the gay Sum- 

 mer Duck to the sombreSurf Duck, each tinge, spot, and line showing 

 superior intelligence ; but in this, like all other parts of Creation, 

 man, with his boasted knowledge, knows nothing of first causes. 



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