408 FOREIGN BIRDS. 



Give me a rich field 



Heavy laden with corn, 

 Just before its consign'd 



To the planter's strong barn. 



Give me too, — its the zest 



Of the Oriole's life,— 

 A crowd of companions 



Without care or strife. 



Be monkish who may, 



I no monk e'er will be ; 

 I like jolly fellows 



Around me to see. 



Ah, its all very well 



Now and then to retire 

 To the mountain or moor, 



And pure Nature admire ; 



But, what fancy may prompt us, 



What ardour may burn. 

 To society's smiles. 



Soon or late, we return. (*^^) 



(*5) Order, Pic^, (Linn.) Hangnest.Oriole. 



The Oriolus nidipendulus, Hangnest-Oriole, Spanish- 

 Nightingale, Watchy-Picketf or American- Hangnestj has the 

 frontlet and wreath black ; crown, neck, back, and tail, reddish 

 brown 5 breast and belly tawny yellow; length seven inches; 

 sings charminglj'; builds a pendulous nest on the extreme 

 branches of a high tree ; inhabits the woods of Jamaica, and , 

 most probably, many other of the West India islands. 



For an account of other Orioles, see note (3S). 



