THE COMMON NUTHATCH. 155 



they do not attack sound trees, because insects do 

 not abound in them as they do in the trunks and 

 limbs of those less vigorous and healthy. W. K." 



SONG OF THE NUTHATCH. 



Lone forest-bird, in thee I find, 

 Meet emblem of the cultured mind, 

 That passes on from day to day, 

 Still gath'ring treasures on its way, 

 And heaping up a precious store 

 From nature's gifts, and bookmen's lore ; 

 Sweet flowers that do not fade with time, 

 And fruits that still retain their prime 

 Through all the wint'ry hours of age, 

 As in our earlier pilgrimage. 



Lone bird, who lov'st the forest shrine, 

 Creatures more blest than thee and thine, 

 With gladness hail the welcome hours, 

 That lead them to the forest bowers ; 

 And there are minds of loftier tone, 

 Souls that a purer influence own, 

 Who seek and find, while yet on earth, 

 Pleasures that claim celestial birth, 

 And in some calm retirement love 

 To plume their wings and soar above. 



Oh ! worldly spirits cannot tell 

 How sweet it is with these to dwell ; 

 All their supplies unfailing are, 

 Their table spread with angels' fare ; 

 On food the world knows not they feed, 

 Still richest in their hour of need. 

 Gifts from the promised land are theirs, 

 Fruits that the vine of Eschol bears, 

 And heaven's own dews descending bless, 

 Their sojourn in the wilderness. 



