80 BLACK-AND-WHITE WATER-WAGTAIL. 



should say much to recommend it to the favour 

 of our readers, for it comes to us with the prim- 

 roses and violets, and is one of the many plea- 

 sant harbingers of the season of sunshine and 

 flowers. 



THE BLACK-AND-WHITE WATER- WAGTAIL 



The children's shouts of glee 



Were heard on the daisied green, 

 When the ebony and ivory 



Of thy glossy plumes were seen. 



Like thine their joyous bound, 

 And the bright, quick glancing eye, 



And bird-like voices, of silver sound, 

 Were hailing thee merrily. 



Still, gently as breeze-borne flowers, 



Thou art flitting across the lawn ; 

 But the playmates of former hours, 



Where are they with their light steps gone ? 



Thou art here, the same gay creature, 

 But they, on the wide world thrown, 



Are changed in form and feature, 

 And with voices of deeper tone. 



Still thy visits their bright looks bring, 



And our prayers ascend the while, 

 That the Guide of thy feeble wing, 



On the children's path may smile . 



L. 



