THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
163 
her labour and anxiety, in the pleasure of tending 
and rearing her little family, her nest is torn from the 
rock, where she had hoped it had been securely 
placed beyond the reach of man, and carried to the 
East Indies, to feast the palate of some epicure. 
My friend told me he had seen immense quanti- 
ties sold at extravagant prices, and once he had a 
large basket-full sent him a present, as part of his 
sea store, and the donor considered she was paying 
him the highest compliment ; but his taste was not 
sufficiently refined to benefit by her kind attention. 
THE WINGED WORSHIPPERS.* 
Gay, guiltless pair, 
What seek ye from the fields of Heaven ? 
Ye have no need of prayer, — 
Ye, who have no sins to be forgiven. 
Why perch ye here. 
Where mortals to their Maker bend. 
Can your pure spirits fear 
The God ye never could offend ? 
* These lines were written on the occasion of two swal- 
lows flying into a church during Divine service. 
