IN APRIL. 257 



several plants which flower at that time, are derived 

 from it. 



The arrival of the cuckoo is regularly preceded 

 some days by that of the wryneck, a small bird, sin- 

 gular in its attitudes and plumage, and which has a 

 peculiar note or cry, easily distinguished by those who 

 have once heard it Other birds, which are seen 

 among us only in the warmer months, as the red- 

 start, whitethroat, and yellow wagtail, appear in 

 April. 



A considerable number of plants flower this 

 month, and, with the blossoms of fruit-bearing trees 

 and shrubs, form a very agreeable spectacle, as well 

 on account of their beauty, as of the promise they 

 give of future benefits. 



" Arabia cannot boast 

 A fuller gale of joy than, lib'ral, thence 

 Breathes thro' the sense, and takes the ravish'd sou!. 

 Full of fresh verdure and unnumber'd flowers, 

 The negligence of Nature, wide and wild, 

 Where, undisguis'd by mimic art, she spreads 

 Unbounded beauty to the roving eye." 



Reflections on Spring. 



" Fo 1 . th in the pleasing Spring 



His beauty walks, His tenderness and love. 

 Wide flush the fields ; the softening air is halm , 

 Echo the mountains round ; the forest smiles ; 

 And every sense, and every heart is joy." 



What a wonderful revolution, indeed, in the uni- 

 versal aspect of Nature, does the return of this lovely 



