324 THE ROLLER. 



had evidently been sucked. I then got up to the nest, and I found 

 that the magpie's eggs were all gone ; but there was an empty shell 

 of a heron's egg in the nest. It, too, had been sucked, and I brought 

 it away with me. The most curious part yet remains to be told. A 

 heron had built a very large nest, on the top of the magpie's nest ; 

 and the top of the magpie's nest served as a base for the heron's 

 nest. On the 24th of the same month, I again ascended the tree, 

 and found no eggs nor eggshells in the magpie's nest, but there were 

 four heron's eggs in the heron's nest on the top of the magpie's nest; 

 and I took one of these eggs, which I have since given to Mr. Stans- 

 field." From one of Watertoris note-books. [ED.] 



THE ROLLER. 



" I love to see the little goldfinch pluck 

 The groundsel's feather' d seed, and twit and twit ; 

 And then, in bower of apple blossoms perch'd, 

 Trim his gay suit, and pay us with a song. 

 I would not hold him prisoner for the world." HURDIS. 



I KNOW nothing in the environs of Rome half so grand and charming 

 as the ornamented grounds of the beautiful villa Pamphili Doria, 

 the gates of which are always open to the public. A blessing be 

 upon the head of its princely owner, for this prized permission to 

 the world at large ! May his liberality never suffer by the hand of 

 wanton mischief, nor ever be checked by the presence of a rude 

 intruder ! Many a time, when fairly tired with the never-ending 

 scenes of painting and of sculpture within the walls of the Eternal 

 City, have I resorted to this enchanting spot, here to enjoy an hour 

 or two of rural quiet, and of purer air : and could I have had a few 

 British gardeners by my side, the enjoyment would have been more 

 complete ; for gardeners in general are choice observers ; to them 



" Not a tree, 



A plant, a leaf, a blossom, but contains 

 A folio volume." 



The marble fountains of Pamphili Doria, its lofty trees, its water- 



