together, in an open garden, without any 

 fire, or any artificial warmth whatever ; this 

 during long and severe winters. We shall 

 often have occasion to advert to this curious 

 fact, and to explain more fully the why and 

 because of our success. 



Our kind host and hostess, we need 

 hardly say, were, as usual, rejoiced to see 

 us ; and greeted us with a welcome worthy 

 of the olden time. Genuine " old English 

 hospitality" sparkled on the board ; and 

 fastidious indeed must he have been who 

 failed to " improve " such an opportunity as 

 this. 



That we did u improve " it, witness for us 

 what passed on that happy, social day, 

 when we were emphatically called upon to 

 affirm the saying that "Variety is charm- 

 ing ! " Tt was charming, and endless. But 

 to the birds. 



The cold blasts of some thirteen succes- 

 sive weeks (continually in operation), have 

 afforded Mr. Wollaston the most satisfac- 

 tory proof of his experiments being unde- 

 niably successful. During all that time, ex- 

 clusive of the past winter, his little family 

 had suffered no diminution in numbers, and 

 very little (if any) detriment in health. 

 We found them flying m all directions — in 

 the shrubberies, in the park, in the orchard, 

 in the fields, and in the paddocks. Perched 

 on the summit of an apple tree in the or- 

 chard, sat one prettily-mottled chorister, 

 whose distended throat poured forth gushes 

 of the purest melody. To the strains of a 

 tit-lark, he added the choicest, notes of a 

 G-erman canary ; and none would have ima- 

 gined him to have been what he was. 



If we were to attempt to describe at any 

 length the pleasures derivable from a 

 " study" like this, we should exceed our 

 office, and occupy too much of our space ; 

 but we feel justified in creating a thirst for 

 an extension of the inquiry into the [ready 

 practicability with which such luxuries 

 might be introduced. Of this, very much 

 more at a future time ; for the subject grows 

 under our pen, which we are obliged to 

 arrest. 



Notwithstanding the intensity of the cold 

 winds, we found, on visiting Mr. Wollas- 

 ton's grounds, that all his canaries had 

 long been busily and profitably employed. 

 There were young ones, already fledged, 

 ranging the grounds. Nests, in abundance, 

 with eggs and young. Some were building, 

 some were engaged in feeding, and all in the 

 full enjoyment of perfect happiness. The 

 mode of feeding, catching, &c, all have been 

 most admirably conceived and contrived, 

 as we described in our former article (see page 

 290.) 



The sites selected for their nests, this 

 year, evince much precaution on the part of 



the parent birds, who, sensible of the cutting 

 winds from the east, have sought out warmer 

 habitations than usual. Thus, we have one 

 in a plumbago, in the greenhouse ; one closely 

 embedded in a thick ivy, well sheltered by 

 an impending wall ; one in a cypress ; one in 

 an arbutus, &c, &c, all well protected. 



Some, during the temporary lull in the 

 prevailing winds, had pitched their local 

 habitation in a honeysuckle, a magnolia, &c. ; 

 but discovering their error, and that they 

 had gone " too close to the wind," they de- 

 camped, ere depositing their eggs. The 

 nest in the honeysuckle, we should add, ivas 

 blown out subsequently by the force of the 

 wind, — thus proving, that madame was gifted 

 with some little foresight. 



The result of our visit may now be re- 

 solved into a nutshell. Considering the 

 season, Mr. Wollaston has triumphed 

 gloriously in his experiments, and proved to 

 us what can be done. All this, we shall not 

 fail to improve upon. 



Of the domestication of canaries at Os- 

 bokne (which we saw noticed in the Gar- 

 deners' Journal, a few months since), we are 

 not now able to speak ; but we feel sure his 

 R. H. Prince Albert will enjoy a treat 

 with them this season. Being used to the 

 grounds, they will people them with colors 

 of every hue ; and their graceful motions 

 when in flight, will produce an effect not less 



novel than 



delightful. 



Long may our 



gracious little Queen and her Royal Consort 

 live to participate in such harmless delights ! 



We may notice, ere quitting this subject, 

 how apparent were the effects of a backward 

 spring ! The hedges were " green " indeed, 

 but only partially clad. Of wild flowers, we saw 

 a few modest heads, half shrinking from the 

 gaze of passers-by, and looking as if ashamed 

 or afraid to show themselves. The bashful 

 forget-me-not, the blushing wild-thyme, the 

 violet, and the buttercup, all were discern- 

 ible — but oh, how they seemed to cringe 

 beneath the rude invading winds of the 

 North-east ! Dear, lovely creatures, ejacu- 

 lated we ; slumber but a little longer, and ye 

 shall emerge to a brighter day ; and yet live 

 to gladden the hearts both of ourselves and 

 others of your fond admirers. 



We noticed on our journey the rapid evo- 

 lutions of the swallow, in his giddy flight; 

 and we were much charmed by the mellow 

 voices of many a choice blackbird, which at 

 intervals fell harmoniously upon our ear. 

 The robin too was in fine voice, and the 

 chaffinch. Nor was the lark wanting to 

 complete the harmony, for we saw him and 

 heard him, whilst ranging the fields of ether 

 in immeasurable space. Returning home- 

 wards, later in the day, his flight was 

 lowered, his voice more softened, his object 

 changed. Sweet fellow ! — 



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