ENJOYMENT IN FLIGHT. 
do not pretend that the movements of mammals are in any way limited. 
They can walk, run, leap, climb, swim, dive, like the birds. But they 
are fettered and oppressed to a certain extent by their bulk : however 
swift they may be, the bird surpasses them ; wliile the cursorial birds, 
the ostrich and the cassowary, rival in speed the swiftest horse, the 
most agile antelope. Slow as the crane is, he flies as rapidly as a 
race-horse can gallop ; while the passenger-pigeon outstrips the latter. 
When a mammal essays to compete with the winged race, it proves 
only its inferiority : the bat is a caricature of the bird. 
We have spoken of movement as a necessity for the bird ; who 
can doubt that it is also an enjo^Tnent ? See the chaffinch speeding 
from tree to tree, or skimming the surface of the daisied field ; or 
the thrush balancing himself in the air, and suddenly taking a 
long bold sweep in some new direction ; or the linnet undulating 
in his airy, graceful, and rapid course ; or the pigeon darting arrow- 
like from his point of vantage to engage with his companion in a 
rivalry of speed, — and be convinced that each and all feel a keen 
delight in the exercise of their power of wing. According to Professor 
Wilson, however, it is the lark alone that lets loose the power in his 
wings for the expression of joy and gratitude. " The eagle," he says, 
"sweeps in passion of hunger — poised in the sky, his ken is searching 
for prey on sea or sward — his flight is ever animated by desti'uction. 
The dove seems still to be escaping from something that pursues — 
afraid of enemies even in the dangerless solitudes where the old 
forests repose in primeval peace. The heron, high over houseless 
moors, seems at dusk fearful in her laborious flight, and weariedly 
gathers her long wings on the tree-top, as if thankful that day is 
done, and night again ready with its rest. ' The blackening trains 
o' craws to their repose,' is an image that affects the heax't of ' mortal 
man who liveth here by toil,' through sympathy with creatures 
partaking with him a common lot. The swallow, for ever on the 
wing, and wheeling fitfully before fancy's eyes in element adapted 
for perpetual pastime, is flying but to feed — for lack of insects pre- 
pares to forsake the land of its nativity, and yearns for the blast 
to bear it across the sea. Tliou alone, 0 lark : hast wings given thee 
