and healthy, they probably attain to the age of the elm, or ash, &c., &c., but we have never heard any accurate calculations on the subject.
Tuesday, 9th.—The lake very beautiful; there is often, at this time of the year, a delicacy and softness in the waters, produced, no doubt, by the atmosphere of a still spring day, which is in beautiful harmony with the season.
A pleasant hour toward evening, pacing to and fro under a mild, cloudy sky, near the bridge; the birds seem to have collected there for our especial amusement, but in reality, were attracted, no doubt, by some insects from the water; it was a greater gathering than we have seen this spring, and several among the party were of more interest than usual. Swallows by scores, chimney, barn, and white-bellied, were sailing about us in ceaseless motion, now passing above, now below the bridge, often so near that we might almost have touched them. A Phœbe-birdsat quietly on a maple branch within a stone’s throw, giving us a song ever and anon, as we passed up and down; they have a trick of sitting in that way on the same twig, at no great distance from their nest, and they are much given to build about bridges. Robins were there, of course, they are never out of sight at this season; sparrows were stealing in and out of the bushes, while goldfinches and blue-birds were coming and going. But these were all familiar; it was a couple of little birds fluttering about the blossoms of a red maple, that chiefly attracted our attention, from their novelty; their yellow, and red, and brown markings, and peculiar quick, restless movements among the branches, were new to us. They were half an hour in sight, and several times we stood very near the maples where they were
