INTRODUCTION. 
XXXIX 
CHAPTER III. 
Of the Incubation and Migration of Birds. 
Spring is the season of increased animation; then, with the same boun- 
tifiil hand with which Nature paints, in a thousand hues^ the opening buds 
of the vegetable world, she diffuses fresh sources of life and gladness over 
the animal. All things that live own her renovating influence ; and even 
the chilling cold of winter, the howling blast, and the drenching torrent, 
seem willingly to yield their sceptre to the grateful beams of the sun, to 
milder zephyrs, and more congenial skies. A rich exuberance of food 
succeeds the scanty and precarious supplies of the frozen scene, — giving a 
fresh impetus to the blood, and exciting to softer desires. Thus encou- 
raged and impelled, the little warblers resume their songs and their loves. 
Nature no longer lies hidden in a death-like silence ; every wood echoes 
responsively to the warblings of its tenants, every bush is enlivened by some 
feathered songster. How delightful the scene ! The sun rises in all the 
splendour of unborrowed light. Not a cloud darkens the blue vault of 
Heaven. Not a breath of wind ruffles the waters. The trees display their 
luxuriant foliage, and spread their umbrageous arms in wild extravagance, 
as if conscious of their dignity, in the grand spectacle of Nature ! More 
humble, yet more gaily caparisoned, the beautiful productions of Flora 
chequer the hedges and the green sward ; and, by mingling their various 
dies, throw a richness over the whole. Man walks forth conscious of his 
dignity ; his ear is soothed with the melodies of the feathered throng ; his 
eye is captivated by the beauties around him ; he stands entranced in 
