JULY. 
215 
Bhady retreats where they can screen themselves from the burning sun. 
There is much to instruct and admire in those bright ornaments of Nature. 
The manner in which they propel themselves through the air is very 
interesting, and to the naturalist very important. Then, again, see the 
varied forms of their wings ; how graceful and beautiful; every feather 
is brought into action. Again, look at the various constructions they 
provide for their young, “ from the mighty eagle who rears her young 
on the mountain top, to the little swallow that constructs her claybuilt 
house in our window corners.” How varied are the forms and 
materials ; and one cannot but be struck with the fact that our resident 
birds who brave with us the winter blast construct a much warmer 
nest for their young than do those summer visitants who quit our shores 
at the first approach of the autumnal storms. Take, for instance, the 
nest of our thorough-bred English bird—the common house sparrow ; 
its nest is a globular mass of hay and straw, so thickly lined with 
feathers that it is like an oven, and leads one to wonder that the yoting 
are not smothered in them. Then look at the nest of the black-cap, 
one of our teiiderest visitors; its nest consists merely of a few dried 
pieces of Grass, so slightly constructed that the eggs may plainly be 
seen through it. This is a mystery that man, with all his boasted 
acquirements, has not yet been able to solve. 
T. W. A. 
NEW FLORAL EXHIBITION AT EDINBURGH. 
At last, Edinburgh seems likely to have horticultural exhibitions worthy 
of the northern metropolis, if we may judge from the reports that have 
reached us of the success that has attended the exhibition held on the 
10th June, under the auspices of the management of the Royal 
Zoological Gardens at Broughton Park. Well done, auld Reekie ; for 
good prizes and liberal encouragement will be a mighty lever towards 
the advancement of horticulture in the north. We very much regret 
not having space to give a detailed report of the prizes awarded, but we 
are pleased to see the principal Edinburgh nurserymen rallying round 
the directors of the Zoological Gardens, and that many of the principal 
horticulturists in Scotland are lending their valuable aid in a good cause. 
Let it not be understood that in supporting this new effort we wish to 
underrate the Caledonian Horticultural Society. Far from it: and we 
wish it success, for there is room for both ; but we hail with satisfaction 
any effort grounded on just principles that may be set in motion for 
the advancement of horticulture. Nothing rouses men into becoming 
cultivators and exhibitors so much as a good example set before them, 
with the inducement of a fair recompence for their labour. Empty 
honours will not induce men to become exhibitors, and repay them 
for their labours, for in nine cases out of ten gardeners cannot afford to 
pay out of their own pockets the expenses that attend competition 
with a certainty of sustaining a loss, even though fortunate enough 
