The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1839-06-08

melody OF the Skylark, and possessing the same
rapurous character. Sometimes he pitches from
the summit of a tree, begins his song soon as
he gets upon the wing, and hutters TREMENDOUSLY
down to the earth, if overcome with eestacy at
his own music. Sometimes he is in pursuit OF
his paramount; always in full song, as if he would
win her by his melody; and always with the
same appearance of intoxication and delight.
OF all the birds of our groves and meadows the
Boblink was the envy of my boyhood. He cross
ed nv path in the sweetest weather and the sweet
est season of the year, when all nature called to
the fields and the rural feeling throbbed in every
bosom but when I, luckless urchin! was doomed
to be mewed up, during the lve-long day, in that
purgatory of boyhood-a school-room--it seemed
as if the little varet Knocked at me, as he flew by
in full song. and sought to taunt me with his hap
pier lot. 0 how envied him! No lessons, no
tasks, no hateful school, nothing but hoyday,
iroic, green fields, and fine weather. Had been
then more versed in poetry, might have address
cd him in the words of Logan to the cuckoo:-
Sweet Bird thy bower is ever green,
Thy sky is clear.
Thou hast no in thy note,
No winter in thy year.
o could fly, I'D fly with thee;
We'd make, on joyful wing,
Our annual visit round the globe,
Companions of the Spring!
Further observation and experience have given
me different idea of this little feathered voup-
tuary, which will venture TO impart, for the be-
| neft of my schoolboy readers who may regard
him with the same unqualified envy and admira-
ton which cnce INDUCED. have shown him
only as saw him at first, in what may call the
poetica part Of his career, when he in manner
devoted himself to elegant pursuits and enjoy
lnents, and was bird of music, and song, and
taste. and sensbiity, and refinement. While this
lasted, he was sacred from injury; the very school
boy would not fling stone at him, and the mer-
rles rustic would pause to listen to his strain
But mark the d.fierence As the year advances,
as the clover blossoms disappear, and the spring
fades into summer, his notes cease to vibrate, on
the He gradually gives up his elegant tastes
and habits, doiis his poe.cal and professional suit
of black, assumes russell or rather dusty garb,
and enters into the gross enjoyments of compton
vulgar birds.
He becomes bonvivant, a mere gourmand;
thinking of nothing but good cheer, and german
dizing on the seeds of the long grasses on. which
he lately swung, and chanted so .musicaEy., He
begins to think there is nothing like thej Joys Of
the table, if | may be allowed to apply that con-
vivial phrase to his indulgences. He now grows
discontented with plain everyday fare, and sets
out on astronomical tour in search of foreign
Injuries. He is to be found in myriads among
the reeds OF the Delaware, banqueling on their
seeds; grows corpuent with good feeding, and
soon acquires the unlucky rcnown of the ortolan.
Wherever he goes, pop pop! pop! the rusty fire.
locks Of the country cracking on every side;
he sees his companions falling by thousands
around him; he is the reea6ird, the much-sought-
for .it-bit of the Pennsylvania epicure.
Does he take warning and reform? Not he!
He wings his flight still further South, in search
Of other luxures. We hear of him gorging him
self in the rice swamps, filling himself with rice
almost to bursting; he can hardly fly for corpu-
lcncy. The last stage of his career, we hear Of
him spitted by dozens, and served up on the table
of the gourmand, the most Wanted of Southern
dainties, the rice bird of the Carolinas.
Such is the story Of the once musical, admired,
but finally sensual and prosecuted Boblink. 1t
contains moral worth the attention of all little
birds and little boys; warning them TO keep to-
those refined and intellectual pursuits which raised
him to SO high pitch of popularity during the
early partof his career; but to eschew all tendency
to that gross and dissipa,ed indulgence which
brought this mistaken little bird to an untimely
end. 49,.
Which is all at present. from the well-wisher
of little boys and little birds,
| GEoFFREY CRAYoN.