208 VARIABLENESS OF SEASONS. 



it seldom succeeds upon another ; and so fixed are 

 its eyes upon this one individual, that, as if unob- 

 servant of its own danger, it snatches up its morsel 

 at our very sides. A pigeon on the roof of the 

 dovecot seems selected from its fellows, the hawk 

 rarely snatching at more than one terror-stricken 

 bird. The larger species of hawks appear to em- 

 ploy no powers excepting those of wing, but pur- 

 sue and capture by celerity and strength. 



We converse annually upon early and late sea- 

 sons ; and such things there are. A mild winter, 

 a warm February and March, will influence greatly 

 the growth of vegetation : not that a primrose 

 under that bank, or a violet under the shelter of 

 this hedge, affords us any criterion of earliness ; 

 but a general shading of green, an expansion of 

 buds, an incipient unfolding of leaves, gives notice 

 of the spring's advance. The principal blossoming 

 of plants usually takes place at nearly stated pe- 

 riods ; but particular mildness in the atmosphere, 

 and additional warmth in the soil, accelerate this 

 season; and of all the evils which threaten the 

 horticulturist, an early spring is most to be depre- 

 cated. An April breathing odours, wreathed in ver- 

 dure and flowers, the willow-wren sporting in the 

 copse, the swallow skimming over the pool, lambs 

 racing in the daisied mead, may be a beautiful sight 

 to contemplate, 



" Fair laughs the morn, and soft the zephyrs blow ;" 



