126 Wild Life in Wales 



observable, to a small extent, in the sterner sex, as well, also, 

 as in the earlier stages of existence. 



When I reached the old bridge leading across the Twrch 

 to the village it has since been pulled down and replaced 

 by a more trustworthy but less picturesque structure the 

 purring of a Nightjar, serenading his mistress from the 

 boughs of an overhanging oak, was sounding distinctly 

 above the murmur of the water. A note in such perfect 

 harmony with both place and hour, that I must beg of you, 

 gentle reader, to pause with me a moment and listen to 



THE NIGHTJAR'S SONG. 



Voice of the summer night, 



Quav'ring and eerie trill, 

 Born of the fading light, 



Song of the Whip-poor-will. 



Dream of a twilight hour, 



Sound of a silence heard, 

 Whisper of flow'r to flow'r, 



Lisp of a love-sick bird. 



Whir of an arrow sped, 

 Twang of a Cupid's bow, 



Lilt of a love long dead, 

 Voice of the after-glow. 



Quake of a loosen'd chord, 

 Flutter of throbbing heart, 



Voice in the gloaming heard 



Whispering, cc I come, sweetheart." 



