174 THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
the following exquisitely descriptive lines by one 
who writes so true to nature, — I think there are few 
equal to Montgomery in their delineations : — 
Birds, the free tenants of land, air, and ocean, 
Their forms all symmetry, their motions grace ; 
In plumage delicate and beautiful. 
Thick, without burden, close as fishes' scales. 
Or loose as full-blown poppies to the breeze ; 
With wings that might have had a soul within them. 
They bore their owners with such sweet enchant- 
ment : 
Birds, small and great, of endless shapes and colours, 
Here flew and perched,' there swam and dived, at 
pleasure, 
Watchful and agile, uttering voices wild 
And harsh, yet in accordance with the waves 
Upon the beach, the winds in caverns moaning, 
Or winds and waves abroad upon the water. 
Some sought their food among the finny shoals, 
Swift darting from the clouds, emerging soon 
With slender captives glittering in their beaks - 
These in recesses of steep craigs constructed 
Their eyries inaccessible, and trained 
