SONG BIRDS AND RUSTICS. 469 



Hangnest. You have never heard the Tawny Thrush or the 

 Hermit Thrush, otherwise, believe me, you would have en- 

 joyed much delicious pleasure. Bachman's Finch sings well 

 too, and copiously. So does its relative the White-crowned 

 Finch ; and were you with me over the waters, you would 

 hear the carols, all most interesting, of the Indigo and Non- 

 pareil Finches, and those more wild, though less varied, of our 

 curiously apparelled Bob-o-link or Rice-bird. I could men- 

 tion fully a couple of scores, but I will stop short, and simply 

 assure you that America possesses many fine songsters, as does 

 every other portion of the known world. 



Miller. A fine day, gentlemen ; you are looking for birds, I 

 suppose, for stuffing. 



Orn. Not exactly for that purpose. What birds do you 

 commonly see here, any Kingsfishers l 



Miller. Yes, very often just here, below the bridge, and in 

 autumn and winter Water Crows. It's a fine place for birds ; 

 the water-side's just full o' them in summer. 



Aud. Two splendid short-horned oxen fattening in the yard, 

 two Orkney queys, and a fine Newfoundland dog. Is it a flour 

 mill you have l I daresay you are very comfortable here. 



Miller. Well enough. We grind oats and barley, have 

 plenty to eat, something to drink, good air, and room enough 

 to breathe. 



Orn. How clean and happy-looking the ducks and drakes, 

 and cocks and hens, and turkeys are, compared with the starved 

 and draggled creatures about the towns ; the very sparrows are 

 fatter and more ruddy ; the rustics plump and rosy and cleanly, 

 compared with the poor mechanics of the city, sallow and dirty 

 by necessity, and I must say often rude. For my part, let 

 them talk of their scientific associations, reading-rooms, and 

 superior knowledge and civilization, I think the parish church 

 the best lecture-room, and the fields the best reading-room. 

 I maintain that no mechanic in Edinburgh will match in real 

 knowledge of nature a shepherd from Yarrow Braes or Tweeds- 

 muir. 



Aud. I agree perfectly with you ; but let us be off. Good 

 evening ! 



