MOOR-HENS IN HYDE PARK 205 



parallel in nature; but the living birds, with the 

 exception of the unfortunate captives in cages, are 

 not with us. 



A robin redbreast in a cage 

 Puts all heaven in a rage, 



sings Blake prophet and poet; and for "robin 

 redbreast" I read every feathered creature en- 

 dowed with the marvellous faculty of flight. 

 Wild, and loving their safety and liberty, they 

 keep at a distance, at the end of the garden or 

 in the nearest grove, where from their perches 

 they suspiciously watch our movements, always 

 waiting to be encouraged, waiting to feed on the 

 crumbs that fall from our table and are wasted, 

 and on the blighting insects that ring us round 

 with their living multitudes. 



