166 WRYNECK. 



those who were present. It probably lies torpid, or mi- 

 grates, to warmer climates, for it is certain that it cannot 

 exist during the winter in this country. The following 

 beautiful ode to this bird is very descriptive of its natural 

 history . 



Hail, beauteous stranger of the grove ! 



Thou messenger of Spring ! 

 Now heav'n repairs thy rural seat, 



And woods thy welcome ring. 



What time the daisy decks the green, 



Thy certain voice we hear. 

 Hast thou a star to guide thy path, 



Or mark the rolling year ? 



Delightful visitant ! with thee 



I hail the time of flowers ; 

 And hear the sound of music sweet, 



From birds among the bowers. 



The school-boy, wand'ring through the wood 



To pull the primrose gay, 

 Starts, the new voice of Spring to hear, 



And imitates thy lay. 



What time the pea puts on the bloom 



Thou fliest the vocal vale ; 

 An annual guest in other lands, 



Another spring to hail. 



Sweet bird ! thy bow'r is ever green, 



Thy sky is ever clear ; 

 Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, 



No winter in thy year. 



Oh! could I fly, I'd fly with thee , 



We'd make, with joyful wing, 

 Our annual visit o'er the globe, 



Companions of the Spring. 



THE WRYNECK. 



This small bird, which is about seven inches long, and 

 the expansion of its wings eleven, has its colours pen- 



