fields, where several pair, without the least rivalry or contention, will build their nests, and rear their offspring in the same neighbourhood, twittering and warbling all the day long. This duty over, the families unite, feeding and moving in company, as one united household, and resorting to the top of some sunny tree, they will pass hours in the enjoyment of the warmth, chattering with each other in a low and gentle note. They will thus regularly assemble during any occasional bright gleam throughout all the winter season, and 'still their voice is song;' which, heard at a little distance, forms a pleasing and joyous concert. The linnet is the cleanliest of birds, delighting to dabble in the water and dress its plumage in every little rill that runs by."

When whinny braes are garlanded with gold,
And, blithe, the lamb pursues, in merry chase,
His twin around the bush; the linnet then,
Within the prickly fortress builds her bower,
And warmly lines it round with hair and wool
Inwove. Sweet minstrel! may'st thou long delight
The whinny knowe, and broomy brae, and bank
Of fragrant birch! May never fowler's snare
Tangle thy struggling foot!

Grahame.

11.-THE BLACKBIRD.

THE blackbird is a well known song bird, about ten inches long, with plumage of the deepest black. It frequents woods and thickets, and feeds on berries, fruit, insects, and worms. Its song during the spring and summer is rich and enlivening.

THE BLACKBIRD.

When snowdrops die, and the green primrose leaves
Announce the coming flower, the blackbird's note,
Mellifluous, rich, deep-toned, fills all the vale,
And charms the ravish'd ear. The hawthorn bush,
New-budded, is his perch. There the gray dawn
He hails; and there, with parting light, concludes
His melody. There when the buds begin
To break, he lays the fibrous roots; and, see,
His jetty breast embrown'd,-the rounded clay
His jetty breast has soil'd: but now complete,
His partner, and his helper in the work,
Happy assumes possession of her home;
While he, upon a neighbouring tree, his lay,
More richly full, melodiously renews.

When twice seven days have run, the moment snatch
That she has flitted off her charge, to cool
Her thirsty bill, dipt in the babbling brook;
Then silently, on tiptoe raised, look in,
Admire: five cupless acorns, darkly specked,
Delight the eye, warm to the cautious touch.
In seven days more expect the fledgeless young,-
Five gaping bills. With busy wing, and eye
Quick-darting, all alert, the parent pair
Gather the sustenance which Heaven bestows.
But music ceases, save at dewy fall

Of eve, when, nestling o'er her brood, the dam
Has still'd them all to rest: or at the hour
Of doubtful dawning gray; then from his wing
Her partner turns his yellow bill, and chants
His solitary song of joyous praise.

Grahame.

THE BLACKBIRD.

MORNING.

Golden bill! golden bill!
Lo, the peep of day!

All the air is cool and still,

From the elm-tree on the hill

Chant away:

While the moon drops down the west,
Like thy mate upon her nest.;

And the stars before the sun

Melt, like snow-flakes, one by one;

Let thy loud and welcome lay

Pour along

Few notes, but strong.

EVENING.

Jet-bright wing! jet-bright wing!
Flit across the sunset glade;

Lying there in wait to sing,
Listen with thy head awry,
Keeping tune with twinkling eye,
While from all the woodland glade
Birds of every plume and note
Strain the throat,

Till both hill and valley ring,
And the warbled minstrelsy,
Ebbing, flowing, like the sea,
Claims brief interludes for thee:
Then with simple swell and fall,
Breaking beautiful through all,
Let thy Pan-like pipe repeat
Few notes, but sweet!

Montgomery.

12. THE THRUSH.

THE thrush is about nine inches in length. The general colour of its plumage is yellowish brown, spotted with white. It is a bird of great service in a garden where wall-fruit is grown, as it feeds largely on snails; and though it will frequently regale itself with a tempting gooseberry or a bunch of currants, its services entitle it to a very ample reward.

In France this bird visits Burgundy when the grapes are ripe, and commits great ravages among the vineyards. The song of the thrush is much admired for its sweetness and variety. It is heard early in the spring, and continues till the beginning of autumn.

THE THRUSH.

Within a thick and spreading hawthorn bush
That overhung a molehill large and round,
I heard, from morn to morn, a merry thrush
Sing hymns to sunrise, while I drank the sound
With joy ;-and often, an intruding guest,

I watch'd her secret toils, from day to day,
How true she warp'd the moss to form her nest,
And model'd it within with wood and clay.

And by-and-by, like heath-bells gilt with dew,
There lay her shining eggs as bright as flowers,
Ink-spotted-over shells of green and blue;

And there I witness'd, in the summer hours,
A brood of nature's minstrels chirp and fly,
Glad as the sunshine and the laughing sky.

Clare.

THE 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 shelt'ring rock, The troop of timid warblers flock, And shuddering wait for milder hours: While thou! the leader of their band, Fearless salut'st the opening year; Nor stay'st till blow the breezes bland That bid the tender leaves appear! But on a towering elm or pine, Waving elate thy dauntless wing, Thou joy'st thy love-notes wild to sing, Impatient of St. Valentine!

Go, herald of the spring! while yet

No harebell scents the woodland lane, Nor starwort fair, nor violet

Braves the bleak gust and driving rain;
"Tis thine, as through the copses rude
Some passive wanderer sighs along,
To soothe him with a cheerful song,
And tell of hope and fortitude!

For thee, then, may the hawthorn bush,
The elder, and the spindle-tree,
With all their various berries blush,

And the blue sloe abound for thee!