104 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. 



only is the lily of the valley, the bright Bethlehem star, 

 and the creeping blue-eyed periwinkle. The heath is 

 neither in our fields nor our gardens. The flowers of 

 classic lands, and many plants which are sacred to the 

 muse, are not found in the fields and valleys of the new 

 continent. Our native flowers, for the most part, are 

 consecrated only by associations with our own experi- 

 ence, and not with poetry and romance. The starwort, 

 the anemone, the saxifrage, and the drooping bellwort, 

 look up to us from their green mossy knolls, full of the 

 light of the happy years of our childhood ; but the 

 flowers which have been sung by the British or the 

 Roman muse, belong to other climes, and our own 

 fields do not know them. 



While engaged in the pursuit of flowers, or in general 

 observations of nature, our attention is attracted to the 

 notes and movements of the birds, and we cannot fail 

 1o remark that there is a lively garrulity among the 

 feathered tribes at this time, that ceases in the course 

 of a few weeks. Along with the birds of our own fields 

 and woods, arrive multitudes of little strangers, that 

 tarry with us in their journey to a higher latitude, 

 where they go to build their nests and rear their young. 

 They are commonly assembled in loose flocks, chirping 

 and singing almost incessantly; and in the sheltered 

 woodland valleys, whither they resort for protection 

 from the cold winds, the whole air resounds with their 

 garrulous melody. Among these are multitudes of a 

 species of snow-bird, (fringilla hudsonia,) a little slate- 

 colored sparrow, often seen in winter in company with 

 other snow-birds. The song of this species consists of 

 but few notes, which are very melodious, and when 

 poured forth by a whole multitude in chorus, are ex- 

 ceedingly delightful. Associated with these, are num- 



