THE BOOK. 231 



is insects and seeds ; and though they are found in 

 this country upon the sea coast only, it does not ap- 

 pear that they derive much of their subsistence from 

 the sea. 



If, however, we were to give merely a list of the 

 birds of spring, without saying any thing about their 

 habits, we should occupy more space than we can 

 devote to the season. Nor is it very different when 

 we turn from mere records, where the particulars must 

 be mentioned in succession and consequently a great 

 deal of time consumed, to nature herself, where more 

 than can be dictated in a volume may be seen at one 

 glance ; and where the enjoyment is tripled or quadru- 

 pled, as compared with that which can be obtained by 

 merely reading, however true to nature may be the 

 words read. 



But though that be very humiliating to those who 

 attempt to write, it is very cheering to those who are in 

 earnest to study, and proves that not all the care, all 

 the learning, and all the art that man can employ, can 

 come into competition with THE book which is written 

 without mortal pen. When we write of the dawn of 

 the year, of the new races of birds and of blossoms 

 that are all around us springing into life, our utmost 

 efforts can give but one enjoyment to the reader ; but 

 he who goes out to observe, has pleasure in every way 

 that it can come, and health along with it. The 

 beauty of the flowers and their fragrance ; the elegant 

 forms and varied tints of the birds, their bustling ac- 

 tivity and sprightly conduct, and the music of their 

 songs ; the sportive gambols of the young animals, and 

 the tender solicitude that is shown for them by the old ; 



