64 THE BLACK-CAP. 



tered wing, among his mates of the field. So 

 greatly are they agitated during the autumnal 

 nights, that many of them actually die in conse- 

 quence. This unsettlement continues among 

 the poor little captives until the month of No- 

 vember, when they become tranquil again, and 

 continue so until the return of another season. 



THE BLACK-CAP, OR FAUVETTE 



Oh! fair befall thee, gay fauvette, 

 With trilling song and crown of jet ; 

 Thy pleasant notes with joy I hail, 

 Floating on the vernal gale. 

 Far hast thou flown on downy wing, 

 To be our guest in early spring : 

 In that first dawning of the year, 

 Pouring a strain as rich and clear 

 As is the blackbird's mellow lay, 

 In later hours of flowery May. 



While April skies to grove and field, 

 Alternate shade and sunshine yield, 

 I hear thy wild and joyous strain, 

 And give thee welcome once again. 

 Come build within my hawthorn bower, 

 And shade thy nurslings with its flower ; 

 Or where my wreathed woodbines twine, 

 Make there a home for thee and thine. 

 Now fair befall thee, gay fauvette, 

 With trilling song and crown of jet ! 



