206 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



are consecrated only by associations with our own experience, 

 and not with poetry and romance. The starwort, the ane- 

 mone, the saxifrage, and the drooping bellwort, look up to us 

 from their green mossy knolls, full of the light of the happy 

 years of our childhood ; but the flowers which have been 

 sung by the British or the Roman muse, belong to other 

 climes, and our own fields do not know them. 



While engaged in the pursuit of flowers, or in general 

 observations of nature, our attention is attracted to the notes 

 and movements of the birds, and we cannot fail to remark 

 that there is a lively garrulity among the feathered tribes at 

 this time, that ceases in the course of a few weeks. Along 

 with the birds of our own fields and woods, arrive multitudes 

 of little strangers, that tarry with us in their journey to a 

 higher latitude, where they go to build their nests and rear 

 their young. They are commonly assembled in loose flocks, 

 chirping and singing nearly all their time ; and in the sheltered 

 woodland valleys, whither they resort for protection from the 

 cold winds, the whole air resounds with their garrulous 

 melody. Among these are multitudes of a species of snow- 

 bird, (Fringilla Hudsonia,) a little slate-colored sparrow, 

 often seen in winter in company with other snow birds. 

 The song of this species consists of but few notes, which are 

 very melodious, and when poured forth by a whole multitude 

 in chorus, are exceedingly delightful. Associated with these 

 are numbers of a species of brown finch or bunting, (Fringilla 

 canadensis,) that join their still more melodious notes to the 

 general medley ; and perhaps at no season of the year are 

 we greeted with a louder chorus than during the latter part 

 of April, when these cheerful birds are migrating to their 

 northern haunts. 



In the latter part of the month the signs of promise that 

 were hung out upon the heavens and displayed , upon the 

 landscape, begin to be fulfilled. Flowers are more frequent 

 in our paths through the fields, and the light green-plaited 

 leaves are conspicuous in the shrubbery. The song sparrow 

 is weaving her nest in some grassy knoll at the edge of the 

 wood, the robin has commenced his early morning song, and 

 the blue-bird is exploring the hollows of old trees for his 



