SPRING THE BUSY SEASOxN OF NATURE 177 
receiving them. Should you come upon one of 
their nests, you will admire the arrangement of its 
four pear-shaped and spotted eggs, the narrow 
ends of which meet in the centre. Among the 
tufts of furze and sloe hops the lively ring ouzel, 
newly arrived from the warmer region in which it 
has passed the winter; and by the pebbly margin 
of the pool flits the delicate sandpiper, whose body 
is continually vibrating as if on a pivot. 
It is the busy season of Nature. What myriads 
of flowers are silently expanding; what rills of 
vegetable juices are ascending the stems of the 
topmost twigs; what mighty preparations, without 
confusion or bustle, are making to secure an 
abundant produce of fruit and seed for the support 
of animal life! How beautiful the brooding 
mystery of that happy raven, seated on her nest to 
impart vital warmth to her newly-fledged young, 
while her mate croaks in joy on the projecting 
crag, ready to sally forth and drive away the 
prowling hawk that may chance to come near his 
ancient seat, the castle of his sires ! For weeks 
might one wander among those wooded glens, 
finding each hour some fresh object to excite 
admiration, and warm his bosom with the glow of 
gratitude toward the Supreme Power which out of 
nothing has called all these wonders into being. 
But at present we are mere strolling naturalists, 
bent on collecting nests and eggs .—British Birds , 
vol. i., pp. 616, 617. 
M 
