THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
71 
allowed to see their bird, which they granted with 
much reluctance; but the actual screaming of the 
little creature, and the delight he evinced at seeing 
me, put it out of their power to detain him any longer, 
I returned, therefore, triumphantly bearing off my 
prize, which I took care, however, to restrict from 
his garden rambles, though I have never confined him 
in a cage. 
This, I think, must prove that birds are capable of 
attachment to those that rear them. 
How beautifully descriptive are the following lines 
by Mrs. Smith in her 
ODE TO THE MISSEL THRUSH. 
The winter solstice scarce is past, 
Loud is the wind, and hoarsely sound 
The mill-streams in the swelling blast. 
And cold and humid is the ground ; 
When to the ivy that embowers 
Some pollard tree, or sheltering rock, 
The troop of timid warblers flock. 
And, shudd'ring, wait for milder hours. 
