JULY. 177 



There is no more agreeable recreation, at this season, 

 than a water-excursion upon a wood-skirted pond } when 

 its alluvial borders are brightly spangled with water- 

 lilies, and the air is full of delicate incense, from their 

 sweet-scented double flowers. The pewit may be seen 

 gliding, with nimble feet, upon the broad leaves that 

 float upon the surface of the waters, so lightly as hardly 

 to impress a dimple on the glossy sheen ; and multi 

 tudes of fishes are gambolling among their long stems, 

 in the clear depths below. Among the fragrant white 

 lilies are interspersed the more curious, though less deli 

 cate flowers of the yellow lily ; and in clusters, here and 

 there upon the shore, where the turf is dank and tremu 

 lous, the purple sarracenias bow their heads over lands 

 that never felt a plough. The alders and birches cast a 

 beautiful shade upon the mirrored surface of the borders 

 of the lake, the birds are singing melodiously among 

 the bushes, and clusters of ripe raspberries overhang 

 the banks within our reach, as we sail along their 

 shelvy sides. 



But we listen in vain in our rural excursions, at this 

 time, for the songs' of multitudes of birds that were so 

 tuneful a few weeks since. The chattering bobolink, 

 merriest bird of June, has become silent ; and he will 

 soon doff his black coat and yellow epaulettes, and put 

 on the russet garb of winter. His voice is heard no 

 more in concert with the general anthem of nature ; he 

 has become silent with all his merry kindred ; and in 

 stead of the lively notes, poured out so merrily for the 

 space of two months, we hear only a plaintive chirping, 

 as the birds wander about the fields in scattered parties, 

 no longer employed in the cares of wedded life. From 

 cheerful songsters, apparently devoted to the entertain 

 ment of others, they are metamorphosed into selfish 



