think they are the largest wild birds we have.

Mr. A. They are of great length and spread of wing, but their bodies are
comparatively small.

W. I then turned homeward, across the meadows, where I stopped awhile to
look at a large flock of starlings, which kept flying about at no great
distance. I could not tell at first what to make of them; for they
arose all together from the ground as thick as a swarm of bees, and
formed themselves into a sort of black cloud, hovering over the field.
After taking a short round, they settled again, and presently arose
again in the same manner. I dare say there were hundreds of them.

Mr. A. Perhaps so; for in the fenny countries their flocks are so
numerous as to break down whole acres of reeds by settling on them. This
disposition of starlings to fly in close swarms was remarked even by
Homer, who compares the foe flying from one of his heroes, to a _cloud_
of _stares_ retiring dismayed at the approach of the hawk.

W. After I had left the meadows, I crossed the corn-fields in the way
to our house, and passed close by a deep marlpit. Looking into it, I saw
in one of the sides a cluster of what I took to be shells; and, upon
going down, I picked up a clod of marl, which was quite full of them;
but how sea-shells could get there, I cannot imagine.

Mr. A. I do not wonder at your surprise, since many philosophers have
been much perplexed to account for the same appearance. It is not
uncommon to find great quantities of shells and relics of marine animals
even in the bowels of high mountains, very remote from the sea. They are
certainly proofs that the earth was once in a very different state from
what it is at present; but in what manner, and how long ago these
changes took place, can only be guessed at.

W. I got to the high field next our house just as the sun was setting,
and I stood looking at it till it was quite lost. What a glorious sight!
The clouds were tinged purple and crimson and yellow of all shades and
hues, and the clear sky varied from blue to a fine green at the horizon.
But how large the sun appears just as it sets! I think it seems twice as
big as when it is overhead.

Mr. A. It does so; and you may probably have observed the same apparent
enlargement of the moon at its rising?

W. I have; but, pray, what is the reason of this?

Mr. A. It is an optical deception, depending upon principles which I
cannot well explain to you till you know more of that branch