r^'w. 



NATURE S SCHOOL-ROOM. 3-15 



With Sir Walter Scott, I can, at tlio moment, while 

 viewing this graceful scene, say, — 



" The blackbird and the speckled thrush, 

 Good-morrow gave from every bush ; 

 In answered covert the cushat dove, 

 In notes of peace, of rest, and love." 



For, indeed, the ^'cushats," or ^^ ring-doves," 

 are answering each other from every fir-tree top, 

 while the less musical mmmurs of the blue-rock 

 jDigeons seem like a subdued accompaniment as 

 they sigh their nesting hope to the mate on her 

 eggs in the hollow tree, or, perhaps, in some 

 rabbit's hole at the foot of it. 



High up, — always on the highest branches that 

 the tallest trees, of whatever description, afford, — 

 there sit the brooding herons, on their large but 

 slovenly-looking nests, their crested lords either 

 standing erect, like soldiers at attention, by the 

 nest, or soaring just above, in that smooth, graceful 

 way that the wide span of^ their pinions so silently 

 affords. To quote from Sir Walter Scott again, 

 ^Hlie smooth lake's level brim" is dim2)led all over 

 with every species of wild fowl, save the gadwall, 

 — and I hope to see that added l)efore long to the 

 list, — diving, pairing, washing, or pluming their 

 glossy wings, as if they owned the water and the 



