124 SKY-LARK. 



concealed, his downy bosom swelling with 

 melody, which is poured forth in warble 

 after warble, the songster gradually be- 

 coming less and less to the sight, until he 

 is finally lost in the wide expanse of azure 

 which bends dreamily o'er the horizon. 

 Then, his soothing notes seem to float 

 over the scene like an elfin song, and then, 

 and then only can their sweetness be fully 

 appreciated. A somewhat similar species, 

 the Shore-lark, (Alauda alpestris,) inhabits 

 this country, which bird strongly resembles 

 in character and song the preceding song- 

 ster, to whom we append an effusion from 

 our own pen. 



To THE AMERICAN SKY-LARK. 



Far, far away 



With the blue heavens around thee, in the light 

 The red sun sheds upon thy plumage gray, 

 Thou tak'st thy flight. 



And like a strain 



Of music poured from lips of seraphim, 

 Thy song drops down upon the smiling plain, 

 A gentle hymn, 



