212 
THE CANADIAN NATURALIST 
state for cutting, but clover completely sacrificed. The lat- 
ter should be sown separately^ and cut at a much earlier 
season,, and would then bear a very different character. 
C. — Is clover a grass ? 
F, — In agriculture^ nearly all plants whose herbage is 
used for food for domestic cattle are so called ; but in botany 
it is a papilionaceous flower^ and when examined it is a very 
pretty one. What is commonly called a clover blossom is 
in fact a collection of many flowers closely united : the co- 
rolla contains much nectar or honey^ and this is very sensible 
to the taste, if we suck the basis of them individually. The 
blossoms are much frequented by bees^, butterflies, and other 
insects, on this account ; and a bee-hive placed near a clover 
field will not lack honey. It is thought that honey gathered 
principally from clover is of a peculiarly agreeable flavour. 
White Clover ( Trifolium Repens ) is not sown with us, 
yet it springs up abundantly by the road sides ; but the 
seed has doubtless been introduced. It is not suited for 
hay, but forms very excellent pasturage, and is more durable 
than the red species. 
C. — There is a very elegant little bird on a stake of the 
fence, with a high pointed crest. 
F. — It is the Cedar Bird ( Ampelis Americana ) ; and a 
very pretty little stranger it is : it is remarkable for the 
smoothness and glossiness of its plumage, which is chastely 
but not brightly coloured. Its chief singularity consists in 
some curious appendages to the tips of the quill feathers, 
which look exactly like bits of red sealing wax. It is an 
inoffensive bird, and a general favourite, but with no preten- 
sions to song. 
C. — What has become of our bright-feathered friends 
that charmed us by their beauty and their song a short time 
ago ? It is three weeks since I have observed the scarlet 
tanagers, or any of the warblers. 
