NATURE STUDY. 
164 
miniature spires on each corner; and, ranged from north 
to south, are pleasant white, farm-houses of the village 
street, each nestling cosily among its orchard trees. 
Two hills, the Devil’s Den and Bunker Hill, are the 
highest elevations in the village, not only serving as pic¬ 
turesque backgrounds for the town but also as points of 
vantage for some of the most beautiful sunsets and rare 
bits of New England lake scenery. On the first named 
hill is a cave of some geological interest, probably the in¬ 
nocent cause of such a cognomen. But wdiat could have 
been the cause for the name of the adjoining hill is a theme 
for reflection ; it may have served as a warning to the sup¬ 
posed resident of the cave, for it has been said that he is 
never found at home. 
The woods of Devil’s Den are now taking on the tender 
green of opening buds of the birches, and maple buds add 
to these a bit of coral coloring. The hill slopes to the 
south, a low range continuing and bordering the lake. 
Bunker Hill slopes rather abruptly toward the north to 
comparatively level ground, while behind us rise other 
hills, clothed in protecting forests, sheltering the fields and 
orchards next the meadow. 
Old Winter’s white coat has disappeared and has left 
the earth like a clean child, ready for the beautifying dress 
of spring. Do you get that earthy smell from the plowed 
ground as the little breeze blows toward us and off across 
the waters of the bog? Hear the water trickling down the 
bank, and the bubbling springs which feed the waters of 
the meadow ! In the orchards the robins are calling, the 
bluebirds add a rich trill, now and then the phcebe calls, 
from the low bush comes the tree-sparrow’s soliloquy, the 
song-sparrows are trying from various nooks to out-do each 
other, but, sweet and clear above all, the purple finch’s 
song is heard. 
Oh! happy thought! We take possession of the dory, 
