XIV INTRODUCTION. 



gallant cock has announced the departure of night. 



At early dawn thy native lay 

 Precedes the orient beam of day, 

 And oft at evening's parting ray, 

 I hear thy vesper song. 



When the sun has risen and recalled to light and life 

 the slumbering world, the air in all directions is 

 filled with the melody of warblers innumerable — 



Every copse 

 Deep tangled, tree irregular, and bush 

 Bending with dewy moisture, o'er the heads 

 Of the coy quiristers that lodge within, 

 Are prodigal of harmony. 



And among these the song of the blithe Black-capt 

 Fauvet, (Ficedula atricapilla,) with his full, sweet, 

 deep, loud, and wild pipe, rises pre-eminent. 



Oh ! fair befall thee, gay Fauvet, 

 With thrilling song and crown of jet ; 

 Thy pleasant notes with joy I hail, 

 Floating on the vernal gale. 



The Philomel also frequently sings the greater part 

 of the day, 



And soft as the south-wind the branches among, 

 His plaintive lament goes floating along. 



