352 BRITISH BIRDS. 



confidence. In due time the young birds were fledged, 

 and from that very window they began to fly. At the 

 season of migration, of course, they were gone ; but did 

 they lose all remembrance of the spot from whence they 

 first tried their little wings ? Oh no ! The very next 

 spring, came four martens, flying familiarly into the 

 chamber, passing from wall to wall, and giving utter- 

 ance to the joy they felt — the identical brood of the 

 preceding year. 



The reference of the inspired Psalmist to the swallow, 

 led to the penning of the following sweet verses by the 

 late Right Hon. Sir R. Grant. May the feelings they 

 express be those of every reader ! 



" How deep the joy, Almighty Lord, 

 Thy altars to the heart afford! 



With envying eyes I see 

 The swallows fly to nestle there, 

 And find within the house of prayer 

 A bliss denied to me ! 



" Compelled by day to roam for food 

 Where scorching suns or tempests rude 



Their angry influence fling, 

 Oh, gladly in that sheltered nest 

 She smooths, at eve, her ruffled breast, 

 And folds her weary wing. 



