LESSON XVIII. THE SONG-SPARROW (Fringilla Melodia). 1. "OF all our sparrows, the song-sparrow, or melodious finch, is the most numerous, the most generally diffused over the United States, and by far the earliest, sweetest, and most lasting songster. It is the first singing bird of spring, taking pre cedence1 even of the bluebird, and it often remains until the depth of winter. The notes or chant of its song are short, but very sweet, resembling the beginning of the canary's song. It usually builds its nest on the ground, under a tuft of grass. As far south as Louisiana it rears three broods in one season; and, unlike most other birds, it builds a new nest for each."-WILSON. It is usually found in company with the chipping-bird, and birds of that class. It seems to represent, in America, the house-sparrow of Europe, but is less bold and crafty than the latter bird. The following tribute to the song-sparrow is full of sentiment and beauty: Of winter swept our whitened plains-what clime, What sunnier realms thou charmedst, and how was past The joyous time? 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Detain thee long? or, 'mid the palmy groves Didst sing thy loves? "Oh, well I know Why thou art here thus soon, and why the bowers "Oft as the year In gloom is wrapped, thy exile I shall mourn- 1 PRE-CED'-ENCE, the act or state of being| 2 EC-STAT'-1¤, delightful beyond measure. 3 GE-NI-AL, enlivening; cheerful. 4 PEERS, peeps forth. 5 VI'-BRATES, moves to and fro. 6 ZEPH'-YR, a soft mild breeze. 7 PLUM'-Y, feathered. H. PICKERING. 8 CHOIR (kwire), singers. 9 IN-VÕKE', call upon. 10 WIRE, here used for stringed instrument of music. 11 STRAINS, Songs. 12 LIRE, a kind of harp. LESSON XIX. THE ENGLISH SKYLARK. 1. BIRD of the wilderness, Blithesome1 and cumberless,2 Sweet be thy matin3 o'er moorland1 and lea !5 Blest is thy dwelling-place O, to abide in the desert with thee! 2. Wild is thy lay, and loud, Love gives it energy, love gave it birth, Where art thou journeying? Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth. 3. O'er fell and fountain sheen,8 O'er the red streamers that herald the day, Over the rainbow's rim, 4. Then, when the gloaming9 comes, Blest is thy dwelling-place O, to abide in the desert with thee! 1 BLITHE-SOME, gay; cheerful. 2 €UM'-BER-LESS, free; light; airy. 3 MĂT-IN, morning song. 4 MOOR'-LAND, a marshy tract. 5 LEA, a meadow or plain. 6 LAY, a song. JAMES HOGG. 7 FELL, a barren or stony hill. 8 SHEEN, bright; glittering. 9 GLOAM'-ING, evening twilight (Scottish). 10 HEATH'-ER, pertaining to the heath plant, which is abundant in Scotland. THE LARK AND THE ROOK. 1. "GOOD-NIGHT, Sir Rook!" said a little lark, In yon dewy meadow-good-night, Sir Rook." 2. "Good-night, poor lark!" said his titled friend, But not to sleep on the cold, damp ground; 3. "I opened my eyes at peep2 of day, 4. "I trod the park with a princely air; I fill'd my crop with the richest fare; I caw'd3 all day 'mid a lordly crew, And I made more noise in the world than you! I looked and wondered-good-night, poor thing!" 5. "Good-night, once more," said the lark's sweet voice, "I see no cause to repent my choice; You build your nest in the lofty pine, But is your slumber more soft than mine? You make more noise in the world than I, But whose is the sweeter minstrelsy ?"5 1. How pleasant the life of a bird must be, In the leafy trees, so broad and tall, 2. What a joy it must be, like a living breeze, MARY HOWITT. |