. Birds and flowers, or, Lays and lyrics of rural life . odbine wreath ! Look at it near, all knit together,— Moss, willow-down, and many a feather; So soft, so light, so wrought with grace. So suited to this gi-eenwood place, And spangled oer, as with the intent Of giving fitting ornament. With silvery flakes of lichen bright. That shine like opals, dazzling white ! Think only of the creature smallThat wrought this soft and silvery ball,Without a tool to aid her skill—Nought but her little feet and bill—Without a pattern whence to traceThis little roofed-in dwelling-place,And does not in your

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. Birds and flowers, or, Lays and lyrics of rural life . odbine wreath ! Look at it near, all knit together,— Moss, willow-down, and many a feather; So soft, so light, so wrought with grace. So suited to this gi-eenwood place, And spangled oer, as with the intent Of giving fitting ornament. With silvery flakes of lichen bright. That shine like opals, dazzling white ! Think only of the creature smallThat wrought this soft and silvery ball,Without a tool to aid her skill—Nought but her little feet and bill—Without a pattern whence to traceThis little roofed-in dwelling-place,And does not in your bosom springLove fen- this skilful little thin<r ? THE NEST OF THE LONG-TAILED TITMOUSE. 129 See ! theres a window in the wall:Peep in; the house is not so smallBut, snug and cosy, you shall seeA very numerous family !Now count them—one, two, three, four, five-Nay, sixteen merry things alive—Sixteen young chirping things, all setWhere you your small hand could not get!Im glad youve seen it, for you neverSaw aught before so soft and clever. (-;

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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherlondon, booksubject