62 TREATISE ON 



" I can^t get out !"— Poor'^bird t has man's hard heart 



Not field enough to wreck its cruelty 



On fellow-man ? — but he, in wantonness 



Of power, raust seize on thee. — " I can't get out!** 



Poor captive ! No, thy prison-bars are hacked 



With instinct (Nature's) efforts to escape ; 



While sweep the swallows pass in airy rounds, 



Brushing with sportive wing thy prison-grate : 



The while thy little heart beats strong, and pants 



For Nature's gracious boon — sweet liberty. 



Anonymous^ 



THE STARLING, 



OR STARE. 



STURNUS vulgaris; LINNiEUS. — l'eTOURNEAIT; 

 BUFFON. 



The Starling is a beautiful bird, and common in 

 Britain, but no songster. Its natural notes are a 

 harsh scream, and a chatter or twitter : but its capa- 

 bilities are great, for it soon learns to imitate the 

 notes of other birds ; and it may be easily taught 

 to whistle almost any simple tune, to articulate 



