第一册1.1.TheFirstSnow初雪Thefirstsnowcame.Howbeautifulitwas,fallingsosilentlyalldaylong,allnightlong,onthemountains,onthemeadows,ontheroofsontheliving,onthegravesofthedead!Allwhitesavetheriver,thatmarkeditscoursebeawindingblacklineacrossthelandscape;andtheleaflesstress,thatagainsttheleadenskynowrevealedmorefullythewonderfulbeautyandintricaciesoftheirbranches.Whatsilence,too,camewiththesnow,andwhatseclusion!Everysoundwasmuffled,everynoisechangedtosomethingsoftandmusical.Nomoretrampinghoofs,nomorerattlingwheels!Onlythechimingofsleigh-bell,beatingasswiftandmerrilyastheheartsofchildren.(118words)FromKavanaghByHenryWadsworthLongfellow初雪飘临。多么美啊！它整日整夜那么静静地飘着，落在山岭上，落在草地上，落在世人的屋顶上，落在死才的坟墓上！在一片白茫茫之中，只有河流在美丽的画面上划出一道曲曲弯弯的黑线；还有那叶儿落净的树木，映衬着铅灰色的天空，此刻更显得枝丫交错，姿态万千。初雪飘落时，是何等的宁谧，何等的幽静！一切声响都趋沉寂，一切噪音都化作柔和的音乐。再也听不见马蹄得得，再也听不见车轮辚辚！唯有雪橇的铃铛，奏和谐的乐声，那明快欢乐的节拍犹如孩子们心房的搏动。1.2.TheHumming-bird蜂鸟Ofallanimalsbeingthisisthemostelegantinformandthemostbrilliantincolors.ThestonesandmetalspolishedbyourartsarenotcomparabletothisjewelofNature.Shehasplaceditleastinsizeoftheorderofbirds."maximeMirandainminimis."Hermasterpieceisthislittlehumming-bird,anduponitshehasheapedallthegiftswhichtheotherbirdsmayonlyshare.Lightness,rapidity,nimbleness,grace,andrichapparelallbelongtothislittlefavorite.Theemerald,theruby,andthetopazgleamuponitsdress.Itneversoilsthemwiththedustofearth,andinitsaeriallifescarcelytouchestheturfaninstant.Alwaysintheair,flyingfromflowertoflower,ithastheirfreshnessaswellastheirbrightness.Itlivesupontheirnectar,anddwellsonlyintheclimateswheretheyperenniallybloom.(149words)FromNaturalHistoryByGeorgeLouiseBuffon在一切生物中，要算蜂鸟体型最优美、颜色最鲜艳。经过工艺加工和各种宝石和金属是无法跟这个大自然的珍宝媲美的。大自然按照鸟类的大小把它列为最小号，真是"最小的绝妙珍品"。这种小蜂鸟是大自然的杰作。大自然把其他鸟类只能分其中一部分的种种天赋全部慷慨地给了它。这个小宠儿具有轻盈、敏捷、灵活、优雅以及羽毛绚丽等一切妙外。那翠绿的、艳红的、嫩黄色的羽毛闪闪发光。蜂鸟从不让它的羽毛沾染尘土，它生活在天空中，一刻也不碰在草皮。它总是在空中飞翔，从花丛飞向花丛；它象花一样的新鲜，又象花一样的艳丽。蜂鸟靠花蜜为生，它只生活在四季鲜花盛开的地带。1.3.PinesThepine,placednearlyalwaysamongscenesdisorderedanddesolate,bringintothemallposs