74 WILD NATURE IN STRATHEARN. 



Mavis plastering the inside of his nest with clay, 

 that of the Missel Thrush being lined with 

 withered grass. 



I never see or hear a Sky-Lark without think- 

 ing of Shelley's ode : 



" Higher still and higher 

 From the earth thou springest 



Like a cloud of fire ; 

 The blue deep thou \\ingest, 

 And singing still dost soar, and 



Soaring ever, singest. 



Teach me half the gladness 

 That thy brain must know ; 



Such harmonious madness 

 From thy lips would flow ; 

 The world would listen then, as 



I am listening now." 



The Lark is an early riser all birds are 

 hence the saying " Up \vi' the lark in the 

 mornin' ;" and for beauty of song, compass, 

 and variety, excels all our song birds. He 

 springs from the earth, and in spiral fashion 

 he cljmbs aloft in gradually increasing circles, 

 fluttering rapidly with his wings, all the time 



