Correspondence



41



imply that an eagle would strike at a Curlew, though I thought such

an active bird would hardly be noticed by such a large, cumbrous bird

of prey ; but I have since read (I forget where) of a case in which a dead

Curlew was found in an Eagle’s nest. I also implied in the same piece

that Crows would follow an Eagle in the hope of booty, though I knew

of no such case ; but I have since read of one—I think in the Shooting

Times . In the Skylark's challenge to the Nightingale in the same

piece, I think I have got the rhythm of the bird’s song in the last three

lines :—


“ The Nightingale can never be

Rival of heaven’s bard like me,


He owes to night men’s eulogy.”


This was quite unconscious on my part, and quite unconsciously,

too, I now find that in “ Stormcock’s Saga ” I have got that of the

Missel Thrush, though this is a song that I can never remember as I

do the Lark’s :—


“ Stormcock swains style me,


Reading me rightly,


High on the holm-top

Chant I my challenge, etc.”


The rhythm of the bird’s flight was what was in my mind at the time.

Now, the point on which I require information is, have I got any sugges¬

tion of the Blue Rock Thrush’s song in the following piece, which I

am compelled to quote in full ? Because I not only have never heard

this song, but have not read any detailed description of it, and so

have had absolutely no idea of it in my mind to draw upon

unconsciously, as I may have done in the cases of the Skylark and

Missel Thrush. The piece runs as follows :—


“ I am the bird the Psalmist knew,


That lone upon the house-top sings :


Though I flaunt not the vivid hue

That flashes from the halcyon’s wings,


I bear the softer sweeter blue

Of maiden’s eyes whose heart is true ;


And though they do not hear me who



