40 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



at first inspired mankind, he, if he wants it, dies presently, 

 becomes a sad object to all that loved and beheld him, and 

 in an instant turns to putrefaction. 



Nay more, the very birds of the air, those that be not 

 hawks, are both so many and so useful and pleasant to 

 mankind, that I must not let them pass without some ob- 

 servations. They both feed and refresh him feed him with 

 their choice bodies, and refresh him with their heavenly 

 voices. I will not undertake to mention the several kinds 

 of fowl by which this is done ; and his curious palate pleased 

 by day, and which with their very excrements afford him a 

 soft lodging at night these I will pass by ; but not those 

 little nimble musicians of the air, that warble forth their 

 curious ditties, with which nature hath furnished them to 

 the shame of art. 



As first the lark, when she means to rejoice, to cheer 

 herself and those that hear her ; she then quits the earth, 

 and sings as she ascends higher into the air, and having 

 ended her heavenly employment, grows then mute and sad, 

 to think she must descend to the dull earth, which she would 

 not touch, but for necessity. 



How do the blackbird and thrassel with their melodious 

 voices bid welcome to the cheerful spring, as in their fixed 

 months warble forth such ditties as no art or instrument 

 can reach to ! 



Nay, the smaller birds also do the like in their particular 

 seasons, as namely the leverock [lark], the titlark, the little 

 linnet, and the honest robin, that loves mankind both alive 

 and dead. 



But the nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes 

 such sweet loud music out of her little instrumental throat, 



