UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 203 



quainted also with a little bower, which we have 

 all assisted in making in a charming spot ; it is 

 canopied with woodbine, and lined with moss ; 

 and you might say of it- 

 is this Titania's bower, where fairies play 

 Their antique revels in the glow-worm's light ? 

 Moss and wild thyme are all the weeds which stray 

 To pave her palace with a green delight. 



As we were taking our last walk late this 

 evening, we saw the goat-sucker, which is 

 nearly allied to the swallow in its form and 

 habits ; though generally larger in size. Fre- 

 derick, who is my chief preceptor in everything 

 relating to the feathered race, tells me, that, except 

 on very dark, gloomy days, these birds are seldom 

 seen till twilight. That is the time the insects 

 come out which form their principal food ; and, 

 he says, it is probable that the extreme sensibi- 

 lity of eyes calculated for that period of the day, 

 could riot bear the dazzling light of the sun. 

 Their mode of perching is singular, as they place 

 themselves lengthways on a branch, and not in 

 a cross direction like most other birds. The 

 mouth is uncommonly large, fringed with bristles, 

 and moistened by a glutinous fluid, to which 

 the smaller insects adhere ; and you may there- 

 fore conceive the destructive powers of this bird, 

 for it flies through their swarms with its vora- 

 cious jaws wide open, darts in every direction 

 at its larger prey, and swallows all, without 



