We may now fairly combat the opinion advanced by some naturalists, and sanctioned by the poet', that song-birds are rarely to be found in warm climates. Besides the delightful bird so eloquently described above, we may observe that Bruce heard the song of the sky-lark in Abyssinia; Vaillant was charmed with the music of birds in the wilds of southern Africa; and Adanson tells us, that the swallows which he found in Senegal had not become silent in their passage from Europe. Nay, all the eastern poets introduce the music of the groves as an indispensable accompaniment in their finest descriptions. The pastoral poct of Israel says, The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.' (Cant. ii, 12.) Hafiz, also, the Persian Moore; the author of the Ramayuna; and the dramatist who wrote Sacontala, are loud in their praises of the music of birds. In the Koran also, and in the Arabian Tales, it is often mentioned. Not to multiply proofs, we shall merely mention two other instances. The summer red-bird, or Tanager, which inhabits the woods on the Mississippi, and is remarkable for laying up a large granary of maize for winter provision, is a delightful song-bird, and makes the forests resound with its summer warblings. Thevenot, in his Travels, says, the river Jordan is on both sides beset with little, thick, and pleasant woods, among which thousands of nightingales warble all together; and Grosier observes, that among the birds of Tonkin is a species of goldfinch which sings so melodiously, that it is called the Celestial bird. Its wings, when it is perched, appear variegated with beautiful colours, but, when it flies, they lose all their splendour. Mr. Moore, in his Lalla Rookh, thus enumerates some of the oriental songsters : 'But if she bids them shine Arrayed in all the beauteous beams of day, Yet frugal still she humbles them in song. THOMSON. Latticed lightly in With odoriferous woods of Comorin', Build their high nests of budding cinnamon. LALLA ROOKH. The tenants of the air are, in this month, busily employed in forming their temporary habitations, and in rearing and maintaining their offspring.-See T.T. for 1818, pp. 104-106. As thus the patient dam assiduous sits, Not to be tempted from her tender task, Though the whole loosened Spring around her blows, 'Dr. Buchanan writing from Cape Comorin, a lofty mountain, whose rocky-head seems to overhang its base,' says, "The birds (baya or Indian grossbeak) which build the pendulous nests are here numerous. At night each of their little habitations is lighted up, as if to see company. The sagacious little bird fastens a bit of clay to the top of the nest, and then picks up a fire-fly, and sticks it on the clay to illuminate the dwelling, which consists of two rooms. Sometimes there are three or four fire-flies, and their blaze of light in the little cell dazzles the eyes of the bats, which often kill the young of these birds.'-Pearson's Life of Buchanan, vol. ii, p. 55. Thousands of variegated loories visit the coral trees.—Barrow. In Mecca, there are quantities of blue pigeons, which none will affright or abuse, much less kill.-Pitts. The pagoda thrush is esteemed among the first choristers of India. It sits perched on the sacred pagodas, and from thence delivers its melodious song. 5 Birds of paradise, which, at the nutmeg season, come in flights from the southern isles to India; and the strength of the nutmeg, says Tavernier, so affects them, that they fall to the earth intoxicated. 6 The bird which liveth in Arabia, and buildeth its nest with cin namon.' Her sympathizing lover takes his stand ་ With constant clamour. O what passions then, The most delicious morsel to their young; The search begins. Even so, a gentle pair, By fortune sunk, but formed of generous mould, To tempt him from her nest. The wild-duck hence Be not the Muse ashamed here to bemoan About the middle of this month, the bittern (ardea stellaris) makes a hollow booming noise during the night in the breeding season, from its swampy retreats. Towards the end of the month, the blackcap (motacilla atricapilla), called, in Norfolk, the mocknightingale, begins its song. The progress of vegetation is general and rapid in this month. Hail, Source of Being! Universal Soul Of Heaven and Earth! Essential Presence, hail! By wintry winds; that now in fluent dance, The blossoms of trees now present to the eye a most agreeable spectacle, particularly in those counties which abound with orchards. The blackthorn (prunus spinosa) is the first that puts forth its flowers; a host of others follow, among which may be named the ash (fraxinus excelsior), ground-ivy (glecoma hederacea), the box-tree (buxus sempervirens), the peartree (pyrus communis), the apricot, the peach, nectarine, the wild and garden cherry, and the plum; gooseberry and currant trees'; the hawthorn (crategus oxycantha), the apple tree (pyrus malus sativus), and the sycamore (acer pseudo-platanus). Now from the town Buried in smoke, and sleep, and noisome damps, Oft let me wander o'er the dewy fields, Where freshness breathes, and dash the trembling drops * See these all described at length in our last volume. From the bent bush, as thro' the verdant maze Or taste the smell of dairy; or ascend Some eminence, Augusta, in thy plains, One boundless blush, one white-empurpled shower The elm (ulmus campestris), the beech (fagus sylvatica), and the larch (pinus-larix rubra), are now in full leaf. That magnificent and beautiful tree, the horse-chesnut (hippocastanum), now displays its honours of fine green leaves and its handsome spikes pyramidal' of white and red flowers. It is quite the glory of forest trees. Many and lovely are the flowers which are showered, in profusion, from the lap of April: among them may be named the jonquil, anemoné, ranunculus, polyanthus, and the crown-imperial. Other flowers which adorn our fields, at this time, are the checquered daffodil (fritillaria meleagris); the primrose; the cowslip (primula veris); the lady-smock (cardamine pratensis), and the hare-bell (hyacinthus non scriptus). The yellow star of Bethlehem (ornithogalum luteum) in woods; the vernal squill (scilla verna) among maritime rocks; and the wood sorrel (oxalis acetosella), are now in full flower. Various kinds of insects are now seen 6 sporting in the sun-beams,' and living their little hour.' The jumping spider (aranea scenica) is seen on garden walls; and the webs of other species of spiders are found on the bushes, palings, and outsides of houses. The iulus terrestris appears, and the deathwatch (termes pulsatorius) beats early in the month. The wood-ant (formica herculanea) now begins to construct its large conical nest. The shell-snail comes out in troops; the stinging-fly (conops calcitrans) and the red-ant (formica rubra) appear. |