HABITS OF BIRDS. 19 



Blackbird leave the dense shelter of the evergreen and 

 mount the tallest branches, to greet the rising orb with 

 a flood of gushing music. The Robin and Wren have 

 now commenced their lay ; the former from yonder 

 thorn, and the latter from the concealment of the dense 

 and lowly bramble. The Cuckoo utters his name from 

 the blasted top of a majestic oak, for an early riser is 

 this bird of spring. As we stroll over this field of clover 

 the Lark springs up from its dewy bed, and, shaking the 

 moisture from its plumage, soars on quivering wing into 

 the azure vault of heaven, now glowing as if with gold 

 from the rays of the rising sun. Cheerily he sings on 

 ever-moving pinions ; upwards he soars until he appears 

 but a speck, yet his melody is heard, beautiful in its 

 faintness, e'en though the bird be lost in the morning 

 mist as it rises and creeps slowly along the valley. The 

 welcome twittering of the Swallows is now heard, and 

 these charming little creatures flit by us, their plumage 

 glowing with pristine gloss in the morning sunlight. 

 Their morning meal they are seeking, and a bountiful 

 one they find over yonder calm and lucid pool. 



Arguta lacus circumvolitavit hirundo. 



Gay little Chaffinches greet us as we approach the 

 hedgerows, and the Bunting from his perch on yonder 

 fence utters his enlivening though somewhat monotonous 

 notes. On the decayed branch of this ash sits the 

 sprightly Tree Pipit : ever and anon he launches himself 

 into the air for a short distance, singing as he goes, 

 and then with his twee, twee, twee, twee, returns to his 

 elevated perch. The plaintive notes of the Willow 

 Warbler, the dulcet symphonies of the Blackcap, and the 

 garrulous warblings of the little Whitethroat are heard 

 in all directions. The Flycatcher is seeking his morning 



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