332 Burns and the SoJtg-Birds of Scotland. [Sess. 



However, it is just possible that the " dying fall " of Burns' 

 description refers to the song of the bird, and not to its rising 

 and sinking habit of flight. If so, then in all the references 

 it was the willow-warbler whose voice had charmed the poet. 

 I am all the more emboldened to say so when I remember 

 that the popular name for this bird in many districts of Scot- 

 land is the woodlark. At all events, I am quite certain that 

 it was to the willow-warbler that the poem, " To the Wood- 

 lark," was really addressed, and what an exquisite poem it 



is! — 



" Oh, stay, sweet warbling woodlark, stay, 

 Nor quit for me the trembling spray ; 

 A hapless lover courts thy lay, 



Thy soothing, fond complaining. 



Again, again that tender part. 

 That I may catch thy melting heart ; 

 For surely that would touch her art 

 Wha kills me wi' disdaining. 



Say, was thy little mate unkind. 

 And heard thee as the viewless wind ? 

 Oh, nocht but love and sorrow joined 

 Sic notes o' woe could wauken. 



Thou tells o' never-ending care, 

 O' speechless grief and dark despair ! 

 For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair ! 

 Or my poor heart is broken." 



That is one of the finest poems on bird-life in the whole of 

 British poetry, worthy to be classed with the " Ode to the 

 Cuckoo " or Shelley's " Poem on the Skylark." It is as true 

 and touching and expressive as either of them. One wonders 

 why its charms have not been specially noticed. No doubt it 

 is due to the fact that not so many people are acquainted with 

 the song of the willow- warbler, while all know the call of the 

 cuckoo and the melody of the lark. Certainly it may be said 

 that here in this poem the willow-warbler's song, in its pen- 

 sive cadences and soft melancholy appeal, has received an 

 exquisitely perfect expression. 



