CHAPTER VI. 



Ten thousand warblers cheer the day, and one 



The live-long night ; not these alone, whose notes 



Nice-fingered art must emulate in vain, 



But cawing Rooks, and Kites that swim sublime 



In still repeated circles screaming loud : 



The Jay, the Pie, and e'en the boding Owl 



That hails the rising moon, have charms for me. 



COWPER. 



THE SOUTHPORT BIRDS. 



MTHE interest of the Southport Ornithology equals that of 

 * its Botany. That many of the most celebrated of our 

 native British birds are never seen or heard in the neighbour- 

 hood, is no doubt true. Those which belong to us, it is 

 equally true, are the ordinary ones of our sea-girt island. 

 To anyone who really cares for birds, this makes no difference. 

 Their being ancient Britons in no degree diminishes the 

 interest attaching to the observation of their habits, manners, 

 and customs ; nor, if they be of the minstrel class, does it 

 render their song less inviting and reanimating. Should the 

 nightingale some day pay us a visit, the fact would be a very 



