IV. 



AN ORNITHOLOGICAL LECTURE. 



I HAD almost written my title, unconsciously, Beautiful 

 Birds, for they have become symbols to us of all that is 

 blithesome and free. No one of all the classes of animals 

 is more worthy of attention, or more easily studied. In- 

 cluding within their number every variety of costume and 

 shape; present everywhere, and at all times; making us 

 their confidants by coming to our door-steps, or awaiting 

 us with newer and newer surprises if we go to the remote 

 woods, the pathless ocean, or snowy mountain ; marshalling 

 their ranks over our heads, coming and going with the sea- 

 sons, and defying our pursuit ; surely, here is something for 

 the poet and artist, as well as the naturalist, to think upon. 



But a bird is something more than a flitting fairy, or an 

 incarnation of song. It has substance and form ; it moves 

 swiftly, mysteriously from place to place, and looks out 

 carefully for its own protection and subsistence ; it cun- 

 ningly builds a home, where it raises its young and teaches 



