"Op all the animals by which we are surrounded in the ample field of nature," says an eminent 

 writer, "there are none more remarkable in their appearance and habits than the Feathered In- 

 habitants of the Air. They play around us like fairy spirits, elude approach in an element which 

 defies pursuit, soar out of our sight in the yielding sky, journey over our heads in marshaled 

 ranks, dart like meteors in the sunshine of summer, or, seeking the solitary recesses of the forest 

 or the Avaters, they glide before us like beings of fancy. They diversiiy the still landscape with 

 the most lively motion and beautiful association; they come and go with the change of the sea- 

 sons, and as their actions are directed by an uncontrollable instinct of provident nature, they may 

 be considered as concomitant with the beautv of the surrounding scene. With what grateftil 

 sensations do we hail these faithful messengers of spring and summer after the lapse of the dreary 



Vol. II.— 1 



