THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



state for cutting, but clover completely sacrificed. The lat- 

 ter should be sown separately, and cut at a much earlier 

 season,, and would then bear a very different character. 



C. Is clover a grass ? 



F. In agriculture, nearly all plants whose herbage is 

 used for food for domestic cattle are so called ; but in botany 

 it is a papilionaceous flower, and when examined it is a very 

 pretty one. What is commonly called a clover blossom is 

 in fact a collection of many flowers closely united : the co- 

 rolla contains much nectar or honey, and this is very sensible 

 to the taste, if we suck the basis of them individually. The 

 blossoms are much frequented by bees, butterflies, and other 

 insects, on this account ; and a bee-hive placed near a clover 

 field will not lack honey. It is thought that honey gathered 

 principally from clover is of a peculiarly agreeable flavour. 

 White Clover (Trifolium Repens) is not sown with us, 

 yet it springs up abundantly by the road sides ; but the 

 seed has doubtless been introduced. It is not suited for 

 hay, but forms very excellent pasturage, and is more durable 

 than the red species. 



C. There is a very elegant little bird on a stake of the 

 fence, with a high pointed crest. 



F. It is the Cedar Bird (Ampelis Americana); and a 

 very pretty little stranger it is: it is remarkable for the 

 smoothness and glossiness of its plumage, which is chastely 

 but not brightly coloured. Its chief singularity consists in 

 some curious appendages to the tips of the quill feathers, 

 which look exactly like bits of red sealing wax. It is an 

 inoffensive bird, and a general favourite, but with no preten- 

 sions to song. 



C. What has become of our bright-feathered friends 

 that charmed us by their beauty and their song a short time 

 ago ? It is three weeks since I have observed the scarlet 

 tanagers, or any of the warblers. 



