VOICES OF BIRDS. 267 



medley of the mead, is peculiarly its own, admits of 

 no imitation, and the voices of our birds convey 

 particular intimation, and distinctly notify the va- 

 rious periods of the year, with an accuracy as cer- 

 tain as they are detailed in our calendars. The 

 season of spring is always announced as approach- 

 ing by the notes of the rookery, by the jangle or 

 wooing accents of the dark frequenters of its trees ; 

 and that time having passed away, these conten- 

 tions and cadences are no longer heard. The 

 cuckoo then comes, and informs us that spring has 

 arrived; that he has journeyed to us_, borne by gentle 

 gales in sunny days ; that fragrant flowers are in 

 the copse and the mead, and all things telling of 

 gratulation and of joy : the children mark this well- 

 known sound; spring out, and cuckoo ! cuckoo ! as 

 they gambol down the lane : the very plough-boy 

 bids him welcome in the early morn. It is hardly 

 spring without the cuckoo's song ; and having told 

 his tale, he has voice for no more is silent or away. 

 Then comes the dark, swift-winged martin, glanc- 

 ing through the air, that seems afraid to visit our 

 uncertain clime : he comes, though late, and hurries 

 through his business here, eager again to depart, 

 all day long in agitation and precipitate flight. The 

 bland zephyrs of the spring have no charms with 

 them; but basking and careering in the sultry 

 gleams of June and July, they associate in throngs, 

 and, screaming, dash round the steeple or the ruined 



