BRITISH BIRDS. 105 



even in small masses on the bare ground, so that 

 there is hardly a portion of matter that does not 

 contain a plentiful supply of food for this diligent 

 race of beings. 



''Full nature swarms with life; 



" The flowery leaf 



" Wants not its soft inhabitants. Secure 



" Within its winding citadel, the stone 



" Holds multitudes. But chief the forest boughs 



" That dance unnumber'd to the playful breeze, 



" The downy orchard, and the melting pulp 



" Of mellow fruit, the nameless nations feed 



" Of evanescent insects." 



VOL. I. 



