observed; the blackbird and the turkey (meleagris gallopavo) lay; and house pigeons sit. The greenfinch (loxia chloris) sings; the bat (vespertilio) is seen flitting about, and the viper uncoils itself from its winter sleep. The wheatear (sylvia ananthe), or English ortolan, again pays its annual visit, leaving England in September. They are found in great numbers about East Bourne, in Sussex, more than eighteen hundred dozen being annually taken in this neighbourhood. They are usually sold at sixpence a dozen.-See T. T. for 1816, p. 88. Those birds which have passed the winter in England now take their departure for more northerly regions. The fieldfares (turdus pilaris) travel to Russia, Sweden, and Norway, and even as far as Siberia. They do not arrive in France till December, when they assemble in large flocks of two or three thousand. The red-wing (turdus iliacus), which frequents the same places, eats the same food, and is very similar in manners to the fieldfare, also takes leave of this country for the season. Soon after, the woodcock (scolopax rusticola) wings its aërial voyage to the countries bordering on the Baltic. Some other birds, as the crane and stork, formerly natives of this island, have quitted it entirely, since our cultivation and population have so rapidly increased. Frogs, enlivened by the warmth of spring, rise from the bottom of ponds and ditches, where they have lain torpid during the winter. To a FROG. Poor being! wherefore dost thou fly? Indulge a passing trav❜ller's sight, I would but pause a while to view And see how well thy limbs can glide No savage sage am I, whose pow'r No barb'rous schemes this hand shall try, Ah! let him not whose wanton skill The smelt (salmo eperlanus) begins to ascend rivers to spawn, when they are taken in great abundance. On the 20th, the vernal equinox takes place. All Nature feels her renovating sway, and seems to rejoice at the retreat of winter. The sallow (salix) now enlivens the hedges; the aspen (populus tremula), and the alder (alnus betula), have their flowers full blown ; the laurustinus (viburnum tinus) and the bay (laurus nobilis) begin to open their leaves. The equinoctial gales are usually most felt, both by sea and land, about this time. ; Our gardens begin now to assume somewhat of a cheerful appearance. Crocuses, exhibiting a rich mixture of yellow and purple, ornament the borders 'mezereon is in all its beauty; the little flowers with silver crest and golden eye,' daisies, are scattered over dry pastures; and the pilewort (ranunculus ficaria) is seen on the moist banks of ditches. The primrose too (primula veris) peeps from beneath the hedge. The leaves of honeysuckles are now nearly expanded in our gardens, the buds of the cherry-tree (prunus cerasus), the peach (amygdalus persica), the nectarine, the apricot, and the almond (prunus armeniaca), are fully opened in this month. The buds of the hawthorn (crataegus oxycantha) and of the larch-tree (pinus larix) begin to open; and the tansy (tanacetum vulgare) emerges out of the ground; ivy-berries are ripe; the daffodil (pseudonarcissus) in moist thickets, the rush (juncus pilosus), and the spurge laurel (daphne laureola), found in woods, are now in bloom.The common whitlow grass (draba verna) on old walls; the yellow Alpine whitlow grass (draba aizoides) on maritime rocks; and the mountain pepper-wort (lepidum petræum) among limestone rocks, flower in March. The sweet violet (viola odorata) sheds its delicious perfumes in this month. Sweet VIOLETS! from your humble beds Which, when your fragrant buds shall blow, And thus real merit still may dare to vie With all that wealth bestows, or pageant heraldry. C. SMITH1. The gannets or Soland geese (pelicanus bassanus) resort in March to the Hebrides, and other rocky isles of North Britain, to make their nests and lay their eggs. Much amusement may be derived in this month, as well as in the last, from watching the progress of worms, insects, &c. from torpidity to life, particular. ly on the edges or banks of ponds.-See our last volume, p. 53. See her pleasing work, entitled Conversations on Natural History, vol. i, p. 96. Towards the close of the month, bees (apis mellifica) venture out of their hives. For a full account of this interesting insect we refer the reader to our four former volumes; only selecting another flower from the wreath of the elegant poetess just quoted. an invocation to the bee. Go while summer suns are bright, With every rich and various sweet; But when the meadows shall be mown, Thy delicious alchemy. There, for thee, in autumn, blows Yet fear not when the tempests come, Ah, no!--throughout the winter drear Thou may'st renew thy industry Among the flowers, thou little busy bee! It is In the latter end of March, chickens run about; a brimstone-coloured butterfly (papilio rhamni) appears; sea-kale begins to sprout; black beetles fly about in the evening; and bats issue from their places of concealment. Roach and dace float near the surface of the water, and sport about in pursuit of insects. Daffodils are in flower; peas appear above ground, and the male blossoms of the yew-tree expand and discharge their farina. in forming their nests. month. Sparrows are busily employed 2 In this month the farmer dresses and rolls his meadows; spreads ant-hills; plants quicksets, osiers, &c.; sows flax seed, artificial grasses, beans and peas, broom and whin seeds, and grass seeds among wheat. About the 23d, he ploughs for and sows oats, and hemp and flax. A dry season is very important to the farmer, that he may get the seed early into the ground. A pleasing picture of the farmyard, in this month, Of new-hatched chickens to the humbler cots, And chirp incessant round the blazing hearth, The wonderful instinct of the hen in constructing her nest and rearing her young is a subject worthy of our observation. With what caution does she provide herself a nest in places unfrequented, and free from noise and disturbance! When she has laid her eggs in such a manner that she can cover them, what care does she take in turning them frequently, that all parts may partake of the vital warmth! When she leaves them, to provide for her necessary sustenance, how punctually does she return before they G |