1-68 WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIEDS. 



It is very pleasant and curious to sec how many points of 

 resemblance there are between these Plumy Poets and their 

 bifurcated rivals without feathers. The points of departure 

 are rather of manner than of kind. The bird is its own in- 

 strument, and 



" Singeth of Summer in full-throated ease;" 



though there are exceptions; the Woodpecker sometimes 

 makes of the hollow oak an " instrument," whereon to beat 

 a tattoo. The Grouse extemporizes the thunder of deep 

 bass, using an old log for a drum ; but these are incidental 

 deviations, for they are not strictly Song Birds, though they 

 carry important parts in the orchestra. The Man has a 

 voice too, and uses it to a purpose sometimes for old Her- 

 rick says, 



u So smooth, so sweet, so silv'ry is thy voice, 

 As, could they hear, the damned would make no noise." 



And, in further proof of the earnestness with which it may 

 be used, even the delicate Juliet exclaims, 



" Else I could tear the cave where Echo lies, 

 And make her fairy tongue more hoarse than mine 

 With repetition of my Borneo's name." 



And could you but hear the exquisite Mrs. Mowatt in the 

 " Else I could tear" of these lines, you would understand 

 what might be the voice of Shakspeare's " dove-feathered 

 Kaven" in sad beautiful rage ! In loftier numbers we are 

 told how 



" The harmonious mind 



Poured forth itself in all prophetic song." 



But this labial lute the organic "instrument" in man 

 could not yet equal the effects produced by those of his ri- 

 vals; and, as he was to express in himself everything, he 



