68 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



Presaging Winters hard, and dearth of graine. 

 The Silv^er Swan that tunes her mournefull breath, 

 To sing the dirge of her approaching death. 

 The tatling Oldwines, and the cackhng Geese, 

 The fearefuU Gull that shunnes the murthering Peece. 

 The strong wing'd Mallard, with tiie nimble Teale, 

 And ill-shape't Loone who his harsh notes doth squeale. 

 There Widgins, Sheldrackes and Humilitees,^ 

 Snites, Doppers, Sea-Larkes, in whole millions flees." 



There is much that is admirably descriptive in these terse lines, and it is 

 interesting to learn that even at this early date the destructive tendencies of man 

 had taught the Gull to be "fearefull" and to "shunne the murthering Peece." 



William Morrell,- writing in 1623, says: 



"The fowles that in those bays and harbours feede, 

 Though in their seasons they doe else-where breede. 

 Are swans and geese, heme, phesants, duck and crane, 

 Culvers and divers all along the maine : 

 The turtle, eagle, partridge, and the quaile. 

 Knot, plover, pigeons, which doe never faile, 

 Till sommer's heate commands them to retire. 

 And winter's cold begets their old desire. 

 With these sweete dainties man is sweetly fed. 

 With these rich feathers ladies plume their head; 

 Here's flesh and feathers both for use and ease 

 To feede, adorne, and rest thee, if thou please." 



Another ancient writer quoted in Kurd's History of Essex County (p. 379), 

 rhymes as follows : 



" And then of birds we have great store ; the eagle soaring high, 

 The owl, the hawk, the woodpecker, the crow of rasping ciy. 

 The partridge, quail and wood-pigeon, the plover and wild-goose, 

 And divers other smaller game are here for man, his use. 

 And many more of plumage fair in coo and song are heard ; 

 The whippoorwill, of mournful note, the merry humming-bird." 



Felt, in his History of Ipswich, published in 1834, says (p. 48) under the 

 heading of " Fowl." " Animals of this sort have become far less numerous than 



' Willets still bear this name. 



' Wm. Morrell: Poem on New England, about 1625; p. 129 of 1792 reprint. 



