RETURN OF SPRING. 
425 
delivering a clicking note, each “ click ” separated 
from the other by a short interval. Towards spring, 
I have also remarked one other kind of utterance, 
single, and resembling, except in being much louder, 
the call of a young chicken. 
Return of Spring .—Not only do animals general¬ 
ly by their actions give intimation of the approach 
of spring, but the very earth contributes symptoms 
also, indicative of the same circumstance. In the 
few fine days of February, which so often cheer us 
in that month, relieving the gloom otherwise so 
prevalent, we notice during our walks a peculiar, 
and not unpleasant odour proceeding from the soil 
of the hedges ; this appears partly earthy, and partly 
herby, and may be derived from the minute parti¬ 
cles of soil conveyed into the air in company with 
the moisture which the sun now draws up by these 
temporary gleams, and from the buds and shoots of 
expanding vegetation. In March, the power of the 
sun is reduced by the low temperature of the winds, 
but in April the succession of rain and sunshine 
highly favours the elimination of this scent so 
characteristic of the season, and so associated with 
rural things. The hazel now—in February,—puts 
forth its catkins ; on the sheltered bank blooms the 
snow-drop , and in some favorable years the sweet 
scented violet , and often the daisy, primrose, furze, 
(scentless however at this time) pilewort, and 
dandelion , besides that hardiest of plants, the 
groundsel. On the same fine days of this first but 
partial spring month, we are reminded of all the 
former pleasures of that season by the loud, clear 
whistle of the Missel Thrush, the nearly per¬ 
fect songs of the Chaffinch, Yellow Hammer , and 
Girl Bunting , the quaint notes of the Ox-eye , the 
cheerful notes of the Blue Tit , the melody of the 
Woodlark, the simple modulations of the Gold-crest , 
and the invariable but always welcome songs of 
