THE ROOK. 149 



THE ROOK. 



Social bird, thy harsh notes I love : 

 In the cheerful spring they tell 



Of farm, and field, and grove, 

 And tall trees o'er the shelter'd dell. 



Abroad in the dawning light, 



Thou art soaring o'er hill and vale, 



Till they fade in the shadows of night, 

 Then homeward thy dark wings sail. 



There's a charm in those ceaseless caws 



That mark thy active way; 

 There is scarcely an idle pause 



In thy busy and useful day. 



Let us learn, as we listen to thee, 

 And gaze on thy rapid flight, 



What the Christian's life should be, 

 As he labours in gladness and light. 



ORDER PASSERES. 



The Common Nuthatch. Nut-jobber. Wood-cracker. 

 Sitta Europoea. 



THE nuthatch is an inhabitant of the woods of 

 this country, particularly of the southern parts. 



