Flava, YELLOW-WAGTAIL, Spring, or Summer-Wagtail, is in length six and a half inches; the distinguishing and predominating colour of this bird is yellow, mixed in the upper parts with olive green of different shades. It visits us about the time that the Winter-Wagtail departs, and quits this country in Sep. tember.

I can only mention the following warblers known in this country the Dartfordiensis, or DARTFORD-WARBLER;—the Salicaria, SEDGE-WARBLER, Willow-Lark, Sedge-Bird, SedgeWren, or Lesser-Reed-Sparrow ;—the Sylvia,WHITE-THROAT, or Nettle Creeper, is a very common species, visiting all parts of the kingdom about the middle of April; enlivens our hedges with its song. See Mr. SWEET's letter in the Introduction. The Sylviella, or LESSER WHITE-THROAT, visits also this country at the same time as the last; but it is smaller than that bird. The Rubetra, WHIN-CHAT, or Furze-chat, is migratory in this country inhabits Europe, Asia, and Africa. Three or four varieties: found chiefly among furze, as its name imports. The Rubicola, STONE-CHAT, Stone-chatter, Stone-Smich, MoorTitling, Stone-Smith, or Blacky-top, is found in this country during the whole year. Sings prettily in the spring. Habits the same as the whin-chat. Length five inches and a quarter. The Navia, or FIG-EATER, inhabits Italy; feeds on figs and grapes, whence its specific name.

For an account of other birds belonging to this genus, see the note on the Nightingale; the Hedge-Sparrow's Complaint; the Blackcap's Song: for the WARBLERS of foreign countries, see the note on that tribe in the second part; see also, in the same part, a note on the Taylor-bird.

The Wagtails, in Dr. Latham's arrangement, are made a separate genus under the term Motacilla, with 25 species; the Warblers another, under the term Sylvia, with 298 species.

The Lark in a flutter uprose with a bound;
His measure disposed you to dance to the sound.

Mirth with sparkling eye and Glee,
Listen while we sing;

Pleasure, too, and Gaiety,

Welcome now the spring.

Love too listens to our song;
Exquisite delight!

Zephyrs bear the notes along,

O'er yon meadows bright.

Come, ye sons of sprightliness!

Join our jocund throng;

These the pleasures we possess ;-
Come ye-come along!

He who'd live a happy life,

Let him live as we;

We defy both care and strife

Are from sorrow free. (43)

(43) ORDER, PASSERES, (Linn.) SKY-LARK.

The Alauda Arvensis, LARK, SKY-LARK, Mounting-Lark, Common-Field-Lark, or Laverock, inhabits Europe, Asia, and Africa; feeds on fruit and insects; sings sweetly, soaring in a perpendicular direction in the air, and increasing the volume of its note, as it ascends, frequently, so high as to be scarcely visible. It assembles in vast flocks in winter, when it is found, very commonly, in stubble fields, more rarely in meadows or pastures, at which time it becomes very fat. It builds on the ground, either in tufts of grass or amidst growing corn; lays four or five greenish-white eggs, with dusky confluent spots. This and the woodlark said to be the only birds which sing as they fly; but this, like many other sayings, is most probably incorrect. Body is above varied with blackish, reddish grey, and whitish; beneath reddish white; bill and legs black; throat spotted with black; can erect the feathers on the hind head like a crest. Four or five varieties. Length seven inches. Flesh good. The song of the sky-lark has considerable sprightliness in it: see the Introduction, page 69. Pope thus characterises it :

"Is it for thee the lark ascends and sings?

Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings."

Essay on Man, Epistle iii.

The lark sings during a much greater portion of the year than most birds; and it is also believed that the female of this species sings as well as the male; yet the fact does not seem with certainty known.

THE GOLDFINCH'S SONG.

Fringilla Carduelis.—LINNÆUS.

"The GOLDFINCH, he,

Whose plumage with the tropic warbler's vies ;-
Whose note-exultant chearfulness itself ;-

Whose downy dome rivals a Trochilid's

In beauty."

From an unpublished Poem.

I've a snug little nest

In a little elm tree;

This nest I am sure

You'll be pleas'd when you see;

It is made with much care,

And is lined so throughout

It is neatness itself

Both within and without.

But a dear little mate,

She with whom I am blest,
Is the neatest of all things
In this little nest..

Should you pass by in May,

When our little ones come,

Look in, and you'll find
We've a snug little home.

No home like that home,
Where two bosoms impart
Their finest of sympathies
Warm from the heart;

Where friendship with love
Is perpetual guest;

And affection's smooth pillow
A soft heaving breast. (44)

(44) ORDER, PASSERES, (Linn.) FINCH, GOLDFINCH, CHAFFINCH, BRAMbling, RedpOLE, &c.

The genus FRINGILLA, (Linn.) or FINCH, to which the GOLDFINCH, Fringilla Carduelis, belongs, consists of about one hundred and fifty species, distributed over the globe, several of which are found in our own country; they are distinguished by a conic bill; tongue truncated; toes three forwards, one backward. The following are the chief:

The Carduelis, GOLDFINCH, Thistle-Finch, or Jack nicker, is too well known to need description. Nine varieties; inhabiting Europe, Asia, Africa, and this country. Sings exquisitely, and is very docile; frequents gardens and orchards, and feeds on various seeds; in the winter assembles together in numbers, feeding at such times on thistle seeds, hence its specific name carduelis; builds in apple, pear, elm, and some evergreen trees; nest very neat, (see the Introduction.) Eggs five, white with brown spots. It regularly breeds with the canary-bird, the produce, a mule, termed Canary-Goldfinch. The young of the goldfinch before the crimson on the head appears, is called by the bird catchers grey-pate.

Of the Calebs, CHAFFINCH, Beech-finch, Horse-finch, Piedfinch, Pink, or Twink, there are six varieties, the principal of which is distinguished by the peculiar sound of chink, chink,