March 
thus early in the year insects are beginning to 
fly about. 
Science has placed the flycatchers outside 
the charmed circle of song-birds, and yet many 
of their notes are distinctly musical. Science 
and sentiment do not always agree as to what 
really constitutes a song-bird. When there is 
any wrangling between these two eminent 
authorities upon that point, I find that I get 
less truth but a deal more of satisfaction by 
taking sides with sentiment. 
9 
Life is stirring everywhere, above and below 
ground. Along the water -courses liliaceous 
plants are sprouting, and the stmplocarpus feti- 
dus—more euphonious than the English of it 
—has protruded its coarse blossom from the 
earth. This is the earliest of the rank vegeta- 
tion, as if Nature, obliged to produce the mal- 
odorous object, were minded to do it quickly 
and have it done. 
And now, released from its narrow winter- 
quarters, 
‘* The swan, with arched neck 
Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows 
Her state with oary feet ;” 
95 
