- of Frogs - Instinct of locality in Frogs-The Toad – Miscellaneous Observations on Natural History Small Cape Geese - Rooks mistaking the Season-Hornets-Quadrupeds that prey - - Sea-Hares- Gold Fish-Sea Gulls-Swifts in cold - - weather-Frozen fish - Eels Hedge Sparrows- Efts Lactation in the Crop of Pigeons Similar process in -- Silence of female Animals -Instinct of fear in Animals - Sagacity in Pigs The Sparrow Hawk - Kindness displayed by Animals - Anecdote of a Newfoundland OCCUPATIONS OF COUNTRY LIFE. THE return of Spring is always delightful, especially when the sun bursts forth after a warm and refreshing shower, reinvigorating the earth, and causing it to smile, if the expression may be used, with opening buds and flowers. We then "behold God's blessings spring forth," as the good and judicious Hooker remarked, when he expressed his desire to retire to the country to "study and pray." Religion, when thus conveyed to us through the beauteous and glorious channels of nature, teaches us to love the Great Creator; for we there perceive his love, his care, his bounty and his goodness in all that surrounds us,-in all the works of his hands. Nor is the Summer without its charms. It was my lot to pass a considerable portion of the last in rather a remote part of South Wales, on the banks of the river Wye. Those only, who have seen the upper portions of this beautiful river, can form an idea of its B interesting views, or the variety of them. In a dry season, such as last summer was, the beds of rocks were seen to great advantage, taking every variety of shape, sometimes in huge bolders, and at others in wide-spreading slabs. Here and there, also, were regular steps of stone, over which the water flowed and sparkled into the pool beneath, the haunt of salmon and trout. But it is in the more confined channels formed between rocks, that the river winds, and brawls and foams, as if impatient of its course being checked. Turbulent, indeed, it is for a short time, till it expands over a wide pebbly bottom, and calmly pursues its way till it meets with other obstructions. Here the angler may wade with great success; and, as he casts his fly on either side or down the stream, he is sure of good sport either with trout or grayling. It was in the enjoyment of such scenery, that I found myself seated, day after day, on one of the rocks, with an agreeable book in my hand, occasionally watching the proceedings of an angler. Noble elm trees overshadowed me, and the banks were covered with a great variety of flowers, enlivening the picturesque scenery; and amongst the crevices of the rocks was the pretty wild scarlet-leaved geranium, and the ripe fruit of the strawberry, hanging in clusters around it. In the deep calm pools, salmon might be seen leaping, and trout curling the water as they rose at a fly. Now and then a King-fisher would flit past, and the voci HABITS OF BIRDS. 3 ferous cries of the large green Woodpecker might be heard as its retreat was invaded by some bird of prey. But what shrill and at the same time plaintive note is that I hear? I am sitting near the nest of the Summer Snipe, for it is a late breeder, and it is expressing its anxiety and fears as it rapidly flits from rock to rock around me. Poor bird! your affections are strong, and your love for your young makes you venture for a moment close to me, and then dart away and return again, fearful that your offspring are in danger. Yes, there they are close to me, almost ready to fly. I will go further away that your clamour may cease, and your young receive the food which you have ready for them. In truth these birds add much to the pleasure of the wanderer on the banks of the Wye. They are constantly flying about, and appear to pursue me in my walks, ever restless, and always uttering their wild and peculiar notes. But I must mention one other bird which is found in abundance on this charming river, and that is the Water-ouzel. Its habits are peculiar to itself, and its feet are admirably adapted for enabling it to walk on slippery stones. It frequents, generally, clear rocky streams, and may be seen beneath the surface of the water, during which time its wings are in constant motion. Its flight, which is rapid, somewhat resembles that of the King-fisher, and it would appear to take partial migrations, as they are seldom found late in the summer in places where they were sufficiently nu merous earlier in the year. It is not, perhaps, generally known that the Water-ouzel is a pretty songster. I have noticed this bird the more particularly, because it is rare in the neighbourhood of London, and added so much to my interesting walks on the banks of the Wye. After a day's heavy rain, this river fills with a rapidity scarcely conceivable. High bold rocks are covered with water in a short time, and the whole appearance of the river is altered, swelling as it does from side to side, and presenting a large expanse of water. This is the opportunity afforded for the ascent of salmon, and the descent to the sea of the two years old fish, or rather of those in their third year. As the waters subside, the hopes of the angler are raised, and good sport with the fly may generally be anticipated. I watched the proceedings of two old farmers, celebrated as the best salmon fishers on the Wye, or at least of the neighbourhood in which I was residing. They plied their heavy strong rods with great success, appearing to be well acquainted with the best localities, and fearlessly wading nearly up to their middle in water. Such were some of the scenes which the Wye presented during my sojourn near its banks, but which were occasionally varied by visits to the hill country of Brecon and Radnorshire. Nothing can be wilder or more picturesque than some of this scenery, which can only be visited either on foot or on the back of a stout Welsh galloway. Here and there are pretty water |