The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-06-08
From the New York Knickerbocfer for May.
THE BIRDS OF SPRING.
BY GEoFFREY cRAVoN, GENT.

NV Quiet residence in the country, aoot from
fashion, politics, and the money market, leaves
me rather al a loss for important occupatlon' ana
drives me to the study of nature, and other low
pursuits Having few neighbors, also, on whom
10 keep a watch, and exercise my habits OF oo-
servation | am fain to amuse myself with Prylng
into the domestic concerns and pecuhaflues oi
the animals around me, and, during the present
season, have derived considerable entertainment
from certain sociable little birds, almost the only
vsiters we have during this early part OF the
year.
Those who have passed the winter in the
country are sensible of the delightful influences
that accompany the earliest indications of spring,
and of these none are mere delightful than the
first notes of the birds. There is one modest
little sad-colored bird, much resembling wren,
which came about the house just on the skirts of
winter, when not blade of grass to be seen,
and when few prematurely warm days had CIV
en- fattering foretaste of soft weather He sang
carly in the dawning, long before sunrise, and
late in the evening, Just before the closing in OF
night, his matin and his vesper hymns Ills true
he sang occasionally throughout the day, but at
these still hours his song was more remarked
He sat on leahess tree, just before the window,
and warbled forth his notes free and simple, but
singularly sweet, with something Of plalntive
tone that heightened their effect
The first morning that he heard was
joyous one among the young folks of my house
hold. The long, death-hke sleep of winter, was
at an end; nature once more awakening; they
now promised themselves the immediate appear
ance of buds and blossoms. | was reminded OF
the tempest-tossed crew of Columbus, when, al
ter their long, dubious voyage, the field birds came
singing round the ship, though still far at sea,
rejoicing them with the belief Of the immediate
proximity of land. sharp return of winter al
most silenced my little somgser, and dashed the
hilarity of the households; yet still he poured
forth, now and then, a few plaintve notes be-
tween the frosty ppings of the breeze, like CLEANS
of sunshine between wlntry clouds.
have consulted my book of ornithology in
vain to find out the of this kindly little Bird
who certainly deserves honor and favor far be-
yond his modest pretenslons. He comes like
the lowly violet the most upreending, but well
contest of flowers, breathing the sweet promise of
the early year.
Another of our feathered Visitors who follow
close upon the steps of winter, is the Pewit, or
.Pewee, or Phebebird; for he is called by each of
these names, from fancied resemblance to the
sound of his monotonous note. He is socable
little being, and seeks the habitation of man. A
pair of them have built beneath my porch, and
have reared several broods there, for Two years
past, their nest being never disturbed They ar
rive early in the spring, just when the crocus and
the snow-drop begin to peep forth. Their first
ehirp spreads gladness through the house. '''Fhe
Phebe-birds have comet is heard on all sides;
they are welcomed back like members of the ia
mily; and speculations are made upon where they
have been, and what countries they have seen
during their long absence. Their arrival is the
more cheering as il is pronounced by the old
IF 1.-Two no sim
that the severe frosts are at end and that the
gardener may resume his labors with confidence.
About this time, too, arrives the Blue-bird SO
POLITICALLY yet truly described by Wilson. His
appearance gladdens the whole landscape. You
hear his soft MARBLE in every field He socially
approaches your habtallon, and takes up his resi-
,dence in your vicinity But why should | at
tempt to describe him, when | have Wilson's own
graphic verses to place him before the reader!
When winters cod tempests and more,
Green meadows and brown urrowed fields reappearng,
The fishermen hauling their shad to thu Shore
AND cloud cleaving geese to the lakes steering;
When frs the lone butterfly fits on the wing,
When red glow thu naples SO fresh aud SO pleasing,
o then comes the Blue bird the herald OF Spring,
And ails with lis warbngs the charms OF the
The loud piping frogs make the marshes to ring;
Then warm glovs the sunshine, and warm grows the
weather;
The blue woodland flowers Just beginning TO spring,
And spice wood and sassairas budding together;
. then your gardens, ye housewives. repair;
Your walks border up, and plant at your leisure;
The Blue bird will chant from bis box such an air.
That all your hard tolls will seem truly pleasure!
He fits through the orchard, he visits each tree,
The red Towering peach and the apples sweet bios
SONS;
He snaps up destroyers, wherever they be.
AID seizes the catifs that Turk in their bosoms;
He drags the vile grub from the corn it devonrs;
The from the webs " here they riot and weller;
His song and his services eely ours,
And all that he asks is in Summer shelter.
The ploughman is pleased when he CLEANS in his train.
Now searching the lurows, now mounting to cheer
him;
The gardener delights in his sweet simple strain,
And leans his spade 10 survey aud to hear him;
The slow lingering school-hoys forget they'll be child,
While gazing intent, he MARBLES before them,
In mantle Of sky blue, and bosom red,
That each little ioiterer seems to adore him.
The happiest bird of our spring, however, and
one that rivals the European lark, in my estima-
ton, is the Boblincon, or Boblink, as he is COM
monty called. He arrives at that choice portion
of our year which, in this latitude, answers to the
description Of the month of May, so often given
by the poets. With us, it begins about the mid
die of May, and lasts until nearly the middle of
June. Earlier than this, winter is apt to return
on its traces, and TO blight the opening beauties
nc tho yeor. and later than this hegin the march,