PLEASURES OF ORNITHOLOGY. 15 



The hedge-sparrow's peace invades, and leaves an eg^ 

 To be by her protected. This were well 

 Did not destruction wait around her dome ; 

 Scarce stirs with life the stranger, ere he thrusts 

 Her offspring forth — their death concludes the scene ! 



From Sylviads, Alaudinas, pass YE now ; 

 From MerulidSf — the whole Insessori^) tribe, 

 To some important groups that freely range 

 The mountain, wood, the forest, or the plain ; 

 Whom Snowdon and the Alps, and Andes greet 

 As welcome lords of desolate domain ; 

 Whom sea, whom desert hears ; whom distant isle 

 Acknowledges companions ; where no voice, 

 Save of the winds, or ocean's angry roar, 

 Disturbs their dwelling, their secure abode : 

 The tall Grallator,{^) and the Raptor C) fierce; 

 Hence to domestic Rasors (*), that to man 

 Subjected and his rule, caprice, or sport, 

 Or better pleasure, their abundance yield. 

 Whether of eggs nutritious, or of food 

 Fibrous and firm ; — or proud Natators ('), they 



(') Insessor tribe^ Perching Birds. — (^) Grallalor, a 

 Wading-Bird. — (^) Raptor, a Rapacious Bird.— -('*)/?«5«r*, 

 birds which obtain their food by scratching the ground. — 

 (5) Nalators, Swimming Birds. 



