THE 



PLEASURES OF ORNITHOLOGY. 



Once more of Birds — one last — one final strain 

 From willing minstrel of the warbler throng, 

 Ere yet his Harp be silent ; ere the hand, 

 Which freely runs delighted o*er its strings, 

 Becomes for ever still : one final strain. 

 Or, ere that Time, with soft and stealthy thread, 

 Mows down to dust his being ; when for Him 

 No more shall Merulid (*) or Sylviad (*) wake 

 With melody the dell ; for Him no more 

 The lively Alaudinas (^) song shall float 

 Upon the gales of ether ; ere for Him 

 All on the Earth is finished ; yet once more — 

 Once more of Birds— one last — one final strain. 



(') Merulid, a bird of the Thrush tribe. — (^) Sijlviad, a 

 bird of the Warbler tribe.— (3) Aluudina^ a bird of the 

 Lark tribe, but here meant for tlie Sky Larlc. 



