112 



XEAV ENGLAND FAiniEH. 



!Maiich 



TALL CRO-WPOOT, OK BUTTEKCUPS. 



Philosophers say there is some compensation 

 for everything in life that ^ye are accustomed to 

 look upon as an ill. That even a jumping tooth- 

 ache, or a nip of the sciatic nerve, is not an un- 

 qualified evil, — that around it or behind it, some- 

 where, there lie crumbs of comfort that compen- 

 sate in some measure for the pangs inflicted. He 

 who has been cut off from the world by sickness, 

 and daily looks out from his window upon the 

 moving multitudes as they go up and down in 

 their pursuits, will be surprised to learn how many 

 compensations for him there are, upon reading 

 Bulwer's "Consolations in a Sick Boom." 



So it is in another kingdom. The farmer con- 

 siders many things as coils, which, properly un- 

 derstood, may be found to be blessings. He 

 looks out upon his broad fields and meadows, 

 covered with buttercups, and sighs that they are 

 not all sweet clover, purple-bloom- 

 ing herds grass or silky red-top, for- 

 getting how his children gather the 

 cups, or chase the butterflies among 

 the despised but showy plants — or 

 how lovingly his city visitors look 

 upon the gay scene, and listen to 

 the song of the bob-o-links that 

 rear their young and sing to each 

 other amidst this world of flowers. 



This is an introduced Aveed ; it is 

 common in New England and in New 

 York State. There is another spe- 

 cies, growing about one foot high, 

 while this which we have illustrated 

 grows two feet high. Both species are popularly 

 known as buttercups, and in some localities are so 

 abundant in meadows, as to appear at a distance 

 like an unbroken sheet of golden yellow. On ac- 

 count of their acid juice, cattle do not eat them in 

 their fresh state, nor do they care much for them 

 when dried. About a dozen other species are to 

 be found in the woodland and meadows, and a few 

 aquatic ones in streams and ponds. It is a rank 

 and hardy plant, has become quite a nuisance to 

 farmers, and ought to bo eradicated upon its first 

 appearance in their grounds. It is said that beg- 

 gars in Europe use ii for the sake of making their 

 faces red, or exciting ulcers, and thereby excit- 

 ing sympathy. 



The reader will find both species illustrated and 

 more fully explained in Darlington's Weeds and 

 Useful Plants. 



Fig. 3, in the illustration, snows the whole 

 plant. Fig. 4, is an enlarged flower, divided, to 

 show the distinct parts. Fig. 5, is a head of seed. 

 Fig. 6, the seed or fruit. 



' A family broil spoils the best broth. 



JTur ihe Neto En<^land Farmer. 



OXTR -WIISrTER HESIDEISTT BIKDS. 

 BY S. P. FOWLER. 



Upon noticing a flock of snow bifds, gathering 

 their scanty subsistence, during a severe snov/- 

 storm in the de])th of winter, the thought arises 

 in the mind, how do these beautiful little speci- 

 mens of ornithology get a living ? and why do 

 they not all perish ? Upon looking over our win- 

 try landscape, and observing the Gos Hawk, wi 

 are led to inquire why this vigorous bird does no 

 use its wings for a few hours, in reaching a mon 

 temperate climate, instead of beating over o\\: 

 frozen fields and meadows, striving to capture ai 

 unsuspicious Tree Sparrow, or seize a carelesf 

 field mouse. In regard to the first question, how 

 our winter resident birds obtain their food, Ave 

 Avould remark, that the Finches feed principally 

 upon the seeds of Avecds and grass, and find an 

 abundant supply. The Partridges and Grouse 

 feed in Avinter upon seeds, berries, and tlie larva 

 of insects, when they can be obtained ; and Avhen 

 these fail, in consequence of deep snows, tlicy re- 

 sort to various trees to obtain their buds, careful- 

 ly selecting those that give promise of fruit. 

 Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Creepers and Titmice, 

 that feed principally ui)on the larva of insects, 

 which perforate trees, or lie concealed under their 



