98 THE SMALLER BRITISH JilRDS. 



the beak is brown, the upper part of the head brownish black, streaked 

 with u, lighter colour, and the back and wing coverts pale reddisli 

 brown, with a dark spot in the centre of each feather. The tail is 

 also brown, the chin and throat white, and the breast and lower parts 

 dusky white. The irides are brown, and the legs, toes, and claws of 

 the same colour. The female is slightly larger than the male, and has 

 the band over the eye less distinct, and the head and upper parts of 

 a lighter tint. The young when fully fledged resemble the adults, but 

 are more tinged with red. 



Where rustics hide the stagnant pool, or fringe the gliding stream, 



And in the sunshine dragon-flies, like winged jewels, gleam; 



Where on the borders of the marsh the stunted hawthorns grow, 



And thrift, and wild sea-lavender, shed o'er a purple glow; 



Where alders tremulously stand, and osier twigs arc seen 



To dance unto the singing breeze, like fairies clad in green; 



Where drooping willows kiss the wave, arid whistling reeds in ranks 



Incline their velvet heads unto the shores and shelving banks; 



Where dives the purple water-rat; where leaps the speckled frog; 



And flies and midges gaily sport above the quaking bog; 



'Tis there the blithe Sedge Warbler dwells, and there his nest he bnilds 



In rushy tuft, or whatso'er the needful shelter yields; 



'Tis there he singeth constantly, a sweet, though scarce-heard song, 



When skies are beautifully blue, and summer days are long, 



And sometimes in the misty morn, and sometimes in the night, 



He chanteth out right merrily, to show his heart is light. 



He glanceth 'twixt the bending reeds, he skimmeth o'er the tide, 



And many a snug retreat is there, his form from foes to hide; 



Come weal, come woe, his constant mate still sitteth on her nest, 



And food is plentiful, that he may pick and choose the best; 



And for his rising family he hath no anxious cares, 



Like men, that know the world is full of pitfalls and of snares; 



With fears, that truly prophesy, his heart is never stirred; 



He is unconscious of all these oh, happy, happy bird! 



