4732 Calendar of Natural Phenomena. 



where a heron (Ardea cinerea) had alighted. The indistinct impres- 

 sions left by the webbed feet of the ducks (Anatidce) readily dis- 

 tinguished them from the clearer marks of the moorhen (Gallinula 

 chloropus), although of the same size, and situated precisely in the 

 same position at the water's edge. 



About the 20th the soft cooing of the ring dove and the pairing of 

 the partridges gave indications of approaching spring, and these 

 symptoms were followed by a sudden and rapid thaw on the 23rd, 

 occurring immediately after a short but heavy fall of snow. All at 

 once the face of Nature was changed : on the 25th the thermometer 

 stood at 48° F., and the air, after having been so long cold and 

 bracing, felt oppressively warm. The effect was magical ; the snow, 

 except where it had drifted deep, had disappeared ; the groves re- 

 sounded with the voices of birds, rejoicing in the downfal of the 

 iron rule of Winter; but all the rest were almost drowned by the 

 hitherto unheard, but now universal, song of the musical chaffinch ; 

 the little squirrel quitted his retreat, and leaped nimbly from bough 

 to bough ; the thrush, after seven weeks of mournful silence, ushered 

 in the evening with his tuneful voice ; and even the stillness of night 

 was broken, for the first time, by the shrill and prolonged scream of 

 the white owl. The business of pairing has scarcely commenced yet ; 

 the domestic birds, the fowl and pigeon, it is true, have broods a 

 month old : the jackdaw (Corvus monedula) made attempts to pair 

 early in January before the frost set in, but their domestic arrange- 

 ments were of course interrupted : the only birds which have really 

 paired are the hardy partridges ; but their example will quickly be 

 followed by the rooks, which have suffered much during the late hard 

 w r eather, but which for the last day or two have shown that restless 

 activity which foreshadows the important business of the season of 

 love. 



In conclusion, I trust I may say, " The winter is over and gone, 

 and the time of the singing of birds is come ;" and I hope that before 

 I close the account of the present month I may be able to announce 

 the arrival of the first of our summer birds of passage, the pretty and 

 amusing chiffchaff. 



March, 1855. 

 1. Hive Bee {Apis mellifica) comes abroad. 

 Rooks (Corvus frugilegus) pair. 



Missel Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) resumes his song, after seven 

 weeks' interval. 



