UTILITY OF BIRDS. 285 



We hear not of the many seeds 

 Which we devour of noxious weeds ; — 

 Of worms and grubs, destructive things, 

 That each of us his offspring brings.* 

 What though we snatch a feast of corn, 

 Or ere its safe in yonder barn, 

 Yet, is there not enough beside 

 For Mat* and his consummate pride 1 



Must all of us to him alone 

 Bow down as though earth were his throne, 

 On which no being may intrude 

 To mar his pleasure or his good ? 

 Hath he of earth the exclusive charter ; — 

 Shall he for sport or pleasure martyr 

 All others' weal? — We may admit 

 His manly port — his talent — wit — 

 Admit, nay, more, admire them too ! 

 But we have rights, and so have you. 

 Shall he, our fellow mortal here, 

 Presume with us to interfere— 

 Fix limits to our happiness — 

 Capriciously curse or bless 

 As pleaseth his high mightiness ? 



* Bewick states that " a single pair of sparrows, during the 

 time they are feeding their young, will destroy about four thou- 

 sand caterpillars weekly." They feed their young, also, with 

 many winged insects : in London, it is presumed, chiefly with 

 flies. 



The utility of the Goldfinch is peculiarly striking, it feeding in 

 the winter, when at large, principally on thistle seed ; hence it 

 is called the Thistle/inch. 



