blossoms — they are every thing one would wish; their 
perfume and appearance are alike exquisite, and fully 
entitle it to the post of honour assigned to it by the poet, 
of being “ the virgin flag of Spring.” It has also an¬ 
other charm: concealed in its flowery recesses, the little 
birds “ warble their native woodnotes wild,” and seem 
as if they would repay it for their winter’s sustenance 
by the sweetness and variety of their strains. Burns, 
the poet of nature, makes frequent allusion to this cir¬ 
cumstance ; thus, in “ The Petition of Bruar Water: ”— 
“ And for the little songster’s nest 
The close embowering thorn.” 
In another poem he again introduces it: — 
“ Within yon milk-white hawthorn bush, 
Among her nestlings sits the thrush ; 
Her faithfu’ mate will share her toil, 
Or wi' his song her cares beguile.’* 
Yet one more quotation on the same subject, and 
from the same pen: — 
The scented birk and hawthorn white 
Across the pool their arms unite, 
Alike to screen the birdie’s nest." 
