waterfowl on the smooth waters made the sea seem alive, and then, rising and flying near the surface, left behind them long trailing lines of light; while in the midst of a swamp, on the topmost branch of a dead cedar, erect and motionless like a Swiss guard, a heron watched its nest in a neighbouring tree, to defend it against all hostile approach. As the sun sank nearer to the horizon, its level beams shooting through the thick foliage, glancing on bough and trunk, and making the shadows more distinct, the festive merriment of the woods began to cease. Stopping suddenly, sometimes in the midst of their song, like children tired of play, bird after bird dropped down through the shadows, each upon its branch or into its nest, and, while its song still lingered among the leaves, was asleep. And over that sleep of happy, joyous life, who so dead but must feel was watching that present Providence which never slumbers nor sleeps ? And these myriad songs which fill the summer air are all in harmony. There are no tones of discord in this great symphony of nature. Its fit accompaniment is the murmur of leaves and running brooks. Its sublime undertone is the faint chime of the distant sea, as its light waves melt away on the beach. As you listen to these melodies of the fields and woods, you feel that the poet drew from nature when he sang: "Sometimes, a-dropping from the sky, "And now 't was like all instruments, And now it is an angel's song, Which makes the heavens be mute. "It ceased. But still the sails made on A pleasant noise till noon; A noise as of a hidden brook In the leafy month of June, Which to the sleeping woods all night Singeth a quiet tune." But this is only the beginning of what the ornithologist observes. The varied plumage of birds, their food, their 1847.] Habits of Birds. 219 nests, their habits and organization, furnish an inexhaustible subject for study. Like every other branch of natural science, ornithology furnishes numberless illustrations, in the adaptation of means to ends which it discloses in the formation of birds, of the existence and character of the Creator. At this point science and religion meet, and nature, as her highest lesson, proclaims a creating Providence. How wonderfully is the frame of the bird fashioned, that it may be prepared for its peculiar destiny! Its hollow bones, the strength of muscle, and bone and muscle so combined as to give such vigor to the wing, the air-cells, in some cases extending over a large portion of the bird, and not only making it lighter, but aiding in preventing suffocation from its rapid motion through the air, its light and warm plumage, and its superior vital heat, which enable it without harm to soar upward higher than the Andes, and to pass in a few minutes through all the climates of the globe from tropical heat to polar cold, - all fitting it to be a denizen of the air, are but so many evidences of creative wisdom. It might seem, at first, as if the tribes whose home is the air might encroach on each other, that their supplies of food must be uncertain, and that, while the strong feasted, the weak would starve. But nature is both a wise and a generous mother. Those who trust to her need fear no famine. For each kind of bird she provides a different kind of food. This she stores and guards, and has ready for them when, in their migrations from south or north, they reach our coast. None are overlooked. Air, and water, and field, and fen have prepared a feast with which to welcome the new-comers. The food of birds is of the most various description, requiring in each case a different kind of organization in order to secure it. Leave its instincts to the eagle and give it the feet and beak of the pheasant, and it must perish. In nature there are no such misalliances. The sensitive bill of the woodcock, with which it probes the soft soil, the long, straight, angular bill of the woodpecker, terminating at the end in a sort of wedge, the talons of the hawk, the different structure of land and sea birds, are but examples of adaptations which are universal. In order both to secure food and to avoid the dangers incident to rapid motion, it is necessary that the sight of birds should possess peculiar keenness. That which is necessary to their welfare is found. While their smell is inferior to that of quadrupeds, they can see distinctly to almost incredible distances. The kite or the hawk, hanging in the air at a height which renders it nearly invisible, can see a mouse or a fish so clearly, that it is able to descend upon its victim with an infallible aim. Not the least wonderful part is the bird's power to see equally well, far and near. It can dilate its eye into a telescope, or contract it into a microscope. The eagle, which watches its prey at a mile's distance, sees equally well what is removed but a few inches. To protect an organ so sensitive and so exposed, it has a third eyelid, a thin membrane, - which it can at will draw like a shade over the eye, and through which it can gaze at the most dazzling objects. It is not because its eye is of a firmer texture, but because its delicate mechanism is protected by this veil, that the eagle can soar into the sun. Equally curious are the habits of birds, the various modes of building their nests, their social relations, and their jour neys from region to region, led by an instinct which never errs. Much, however, as we are inclined, we will not dwell on these topics. We refer to them at all, only to show how rich in matters of interest is this branch of natural science. It would be well, if, with other kindred branches, it were more often made a subject of study. We know no good reason why it should not be introduced as a part of the regular system of education in our higher schools. It would seem quite as desirable, and as profitable, for one to become acquainted with the wonders of the world in which he is to live, as with the wars and battles of savage tribes who disappeared from the earth ages ago. Such a study, to one whose home is in the country, is like giving him an additional eye. That slight knowledge of the different departments of natural science which is within the reach of every man of ordinary intelligence who will give his leisure hours to a few good books, and who will cultivate observing habits, becomes a source of unending gratification. Nature, instead of being a blank to him, is covered with objects of interest. Every flower, and bird, and stone, has in it something to amuse and instruct. Others read descriptive poems at home. He sees the very things which the poet describes. The world is a great poem, from whose open page he is ever reading. We need such studies, in order that we may have a great 1847.] Influences of the Country. 221 er love of the country, Our habits are gregarious. We herd together in towns. We live in the midst of feverish excitements. We talk of loving the country; but what does he care for nature who has no ideas suggested by looking on fields and woods but those which relate to the profit to be drawn from their products? It is that they who dwell in the country may enjoy the true privileges of their lot, that they may gain support for mind as well as body from the fields they till, and that the dwellers in cities may sometimes be drawn away from the unhealthy excitements amidst which they live, that we would encourage such studies. All men need sometimes to be alone and to be quiet. It is good for one to open his eye and heart to the influences of the natural world. In the solitudes of nature, man's voice is silent only that Divine voices may be heard. There, if it is sometimes difficult to do good actions, it is difficult not to think good thoughts. What we think of is determined very much by what obtrudes itself on the senses. On the wharf, or the exchange, with the sights and sounds of business on every side, one's thoughts turn naturally into the channels in which flow the thoughts of all around him. In the country what one sees and hears suggests entirely different meditations. The universal harmony stills his fretted passions. All the objects which the eye rests on speak of infinite wisdom and providential care. The atmosphere which he breathes is as healthy for the soul as it is for the body. He goes out at eventide to meditate"; and heaven and earth transfigured as their true glories are revealed, he returns feeling that he has been standing in the temple of the Most High. "Nature never did betray The heart that loved her; 't is her privilege, Is full of blessings." VOL. XLIII. - 4TH S. VOL. VIII. NO. II. 20 Had we room, we should be glad to quote the whole of Mr. Brooks's Preface. It sets forth clearly and powerfully the reasons for giving more attention to natural science. Especially does it present with much force the reasons which grow out of the spiritual relations and influences of such studies. The peculiarity of this work, as compared with some other works on the same subject, is, perhaps, the greater prominence which is given to the religious bearings of science. The author never loses sight of the harmony which pervades nature, and which unites the material and spiritual worlds; while, with him, the facts of physical science lead ever upward to spiritual truths. We quote a part of the striking passage with which the Preface ends, and with this will conclude our notice of the volume. "In concluding this long Preface, let me repeat, that I have not written this volume to add new facts to our stock of ornithological science, but to convey useful information to the seeker after truth, and at the same time to indicate the path from the natural to the spiritual world. If I shall be so fortunate as to direct one young mind to see God, the spiritual basis of all outward realities, I shall feel myself repaid for all my labor. I will not disguise my increasing fear, that our countrymen may wish to separate science from religion, and thus run headlong into the wildest dreamings. To arrest any such tendency of our times is the high and solemn duty of every philosopher and Christian. It cannot be too often repeated, that nothing gives such palpable definiteness to true religion as the results of science. He indeed sees God, who looks through nature up to him. Every ray from the great luminary of science sheds light upon the neighbouring provinces of religion. . . . Science is bound to God as firmly as the systems to their centre. Every particle of matter is gov erned by a fixed and immutable law; and this law originates in God, and is science to man. To separate the law from its source is to separate creation from its Creator, and to leave the universe an orphan. Gravitation says to every stellar system, to every rolling planet, and to every earthly atom, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy strength.' Thou shalt be bound to him by an irresistible attraction, thou shalt circle round his throne by a centre-seeking power, and shalt wait for him alone to change thy destiny. So every truth of science, circling the great universe, finds itself fastened at the footstool of Omnipotence. I devoutly hope that there may never be found in our country the mind that shall separate God and science; but if, among intellectual motions, some centrifugal tendency may |