OR, PLAIN TEACHING. 



135 



swan, eider-duck, peacock, goose, common do- 

 mestic fowl, &c, which are used for plumes 

 and ornaments, beds, pillows, pens, &c. The 

 feathers of the ostrich are much prized as orna- 

 mental articles of attire ; and the capture of 

 these birds, for the sake of their plumes, affords 

 employment to many of the inhabitants of the 

 desert. Feathers are also occasionally applied 

 to a variety of other ornamental purposes, such 

 a3 pictures, ornaments, hangings, &c. 

 Lastly, birds by their song animate the 



beautiful scenes of nature, and gladden and 

 enliven the heart of man by the cheerfulness 

 and melody of their notes. Nor is this faculty 

 of song without its uses ; by it, man is reminded 

 of various changes of times and seasons. The 

 peculiar note of the cuckoo tells of the approach 

 of spring ; the twittering of the swallow more 

 certainly confirms the advent of the glad season 

 of nature ; and the poet speaks of the " cock's 

 shrill clarion " awaking the hardy sons of toil 

 from their lowly beds. 



THE NIGHTINGALE. 



Blessed be the nightingale 

 Who singeth in the vale, 

 Or in the woods alone ; 

 He is a subtle power ; a winged and wandering ton6. 



Whose sweet outpourings fall 

 Sweet in the ears of all, 

 Making men ponder whence 

 Cometh that wondrous voice, that speaketh joy intense. 



Whose clear and fluted note 

 On the still air doth float ; 

 Or waxeth deep and strong, 

 As if a thousand voices mingled into one. 



Oh ! charming melody ! 

 What can compare with thee, 

 Whom for one month we hear, 

 Then miss, in the still woods, until another year. 



Most wonderful art thou ; 

 Much do I marvel how 

 Thy little throat should fill 

 The evening, far and wide, with such a rapturous thrill. 



