140 SPRING. 



for the winter months, has as little foundation in it as 

 the submerging of the swallows, or the " three drops of 

 the devil's blood," which the vulgar in some places 

 believe that the yellow-hammer gets on the morning of 

 every May-day, and on account of which it is held 

 " accursed in the Kalendar," and the boys are not 

 suffered merely, but encouraged, to destroy it without 

 mercy. 



From the retired habits of the cuckoo, its retreat 

 for the purpose of moulting, and its silence, the time 

 of its departure from the country is not known, 

 though the probability is that it is the beginning of 

 September. The place to which they retire during the 

 winter months is also but imperfectly known ; though 

 from continental Europe it appears that they pass into 

 Africa, as they visit Malta and the other islands in 

 the Mediterranean, upon both their excursions. The 

 cuckoo is a singular as well as an interesting bird ; 

 and much has been written, and a great deal more 

 said about its peculiarities ; and there is still room for 

 a good deal of observation. 



The song of the lark has led us somewhat dis- 

 cursively from the opening of the spring to the heats 

 of summer and autumn; but as, in the study of 

 nature we are mere spectators, it is very difficult to 

 get out of the train of association. We must return, 

 however, to the leafless grove and the almost flower- 

 less field; and though these have not so many at- 

 tractions in themselves as when the year is farther 

 advanced, they afford information upon some points 

 in the history of nature, respecting which the more 

 gay seasons leave us in the dark. The winter is, as 



