340 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



links, not one of which commences until some of the former 

 have concluded their songs. The little hair-bird still contin- 

 ues his almost incessant chirping, the first to commence and 

 the last to quit the performance. Though the voice of this 

 bird is not very agreeably modulated, it blends harmoniously 

 with the notes of other birds, and greatly increases the 

 charming effect of the whole combination. 



It would be tedious to name all the birds that take part in 

 this chorus, but we must not omit the pewee, with his mel- 

 ancholy ditty, occasionally heard like a short minor strain in 

 an oratorio ; nor the oriole, who is really one of the chief 

 performers, and who, as his bright plumage flashes upon the 

 sight, warbles forth a few notes so clear and mellow, as to be 

 heard above every other sound. Adding a pleasing variety 

 to all this harmony, the three notes of the meadowlark, ut- 

 tered in a shrill tone, and with a peculiarly pensive modula- 

 tion, are plainly audible, with short rests between each repe- 

 tition. But he does not soar into the skies in the morning 

 like the European lark, and is not generally regarded as one 

 of our singing birds. He chooses the dusky hour of evening 

 for his aerial flights ; and during the latter part of May, if we 

 closely observe him, he will exhibit to us some of the pecul- 

 iarities of his European congener. During my rambles in 

 early life, I have often lingered in the fields until dark, to 

 hear the responsive chirping of these birds in the open plain, 

 and to watch their occasional whirling flight, as, with whist- 

 ling wings, they soar into the skies, to hover and warble above 

 the darkness that envelops the earth. With the same spiral 

 flight they soon descend to the ground, and commence anew 

 their responsive chirping. These alternate visits to the earth 

 and the skies are continued for several hours. 



There is nothing very musical in the chirping of these 

 birds ; and their warbling in the heavens, when they have 

 reached the summit of their ascent, is only a somewhat mo- 

 notonous succession of sounds. But when, at this later time 

 of life, I chance to hear a repetition of their notes, the whole 

 bright page of youthful adventure is placed suddenly before 

 my mind. It is only at such times that we feel the full in- 



