hours to the enjoyment of which all the rest of the day seems to minister, by providing food and sleep,-these hours you have already witnessed. Of our evening excursions you are at present a companion. The day is now hastening to a close. Satisfied with our feast, we shall repair, before the sun descends into the horizon, to the protecting woods. When the warmth of the sun begins to decrease, the air becomes gradually heavy, and inclines us to sleep.. To this purpose, also, it is probable that the plants contribute, by respiring a somniferous efAluvia

D 2

fluvia. In darkness, the heaviness of which I speak is so extreme, that it is then painful to keep the eyes open. Thus has nature provided, by gentle means, that we should take the rest that is necessary for us during that period in which, to fulfil other parts of her design, the sun, the source of joy, is withdrawn. The night, then, in slumbers; and when the sparkling fires of day again vivify the world, the air loses its denseness, and we awake. We sit silent during a little time, till the coldness of the dawn: gives way at length, from his

we pass

6

watch

watch-tower in the sky,' the lark sounds the signal, and we take to our wings."

The Canary-Bird was delighted with this account, and lamented that he had never led this happy life. In reply, the yellow - hammer continued his description:

"I have already hinted that our lives have by no means that

uniformity which appears to pre

vail in yours. I have not heard you speak of any part of it with that rapture which the gifts of nature inspire; but neither have you told me that you experience the want of food in winter, or of D 3 drink

drink in summer-that you are exposed to devouring birds, or to any other enemies. Now, with us, it sometimes happens that, severe frosts destroy our lives; and, frequently, in winter, we toil all day to procure, at last, only a scanty meal; and, the water being congealed, we are deprived of drink. It is true, however, that nature has adapted our wants to the seasons. We do not need the same quantity of sustenance in winter that is necessary for our support in summer; and as the moisture of our bodies is prevented, by the frigid air, from flying off by perspi

perspiration, we do not require that supply of water, without which, in the heat of summer, we could not live. Add to this, the frost never continues long without snow, the flakes of which are easily melted. But notwithstanding all I have said, we should infallibly be in want, during the winter months, were it not that Providence, with the infinite wisdom which is conspicuous in all his works, has rendered by far the greater number of birds capable of crossing oceans and flying from one country to another, accompanying the car of summer, in whose presence

is