234 EARLY AWAKENING OF BIRDS. 



perhaps, the first to salute the opening morn ; but 

 this bird seems rather to rest than to sleep. Al- 

 ways vigilant, the least alarm after retirement 

 rouses instantly the whole assemblage, not succes- 

 sively, but collectively. It is appointed to be a 

 ready mover. Its principal food is worms, which 

 feed and crawl upon the humid surface of the 

 ground in the dusk, and retire before the light of 

 day ; and, roosting higher than other birds, the 

 first rays of the sun, as they peep from the horizon, 

 become visible to it. The restless, inquisitive robin 

 now is seen too. This is the last bird that retires 

 in the evening, being frequently flitting about when 

 the owl and bat are visible, and awakes so soon in 

 the morning, that little rest seems required by it. 

 Its fine large eyes are fitted to receive all, even the 

 weakest rays of light that appear. The worm is 

 its food too, and few that move upon the surface 

 escape its notice. The cheerful melody of the wren 

 is the next we hear, as it bustles from its ivied 

 roost ; and we note its gratulation to the young- 

 eyed day, when twilight almost hides the little 

 minstrel from our sight. The sparrow roosts in 

 holes, and under the eaves of the rick or shed, 

 where the light does not so soon enter, and hence 

 is rather a tardy mover ; but it is always ready for 

 food, and seems to listen to what is going forward. 

 We see it now peeping from its penthouse, inqui- 

 sitively surveying the land ; and, should provision 

 be obtainable, it immediately descends upon it 

 without any scruple, and makes itself a welcome 



