at the window where he hung, and played a sweet Italian air; in an instant the bird roused himself, and appeared to feel all his energies awakened he assumed an attitude of attention so marked as to attract the notice of his mistress, and evidently listened eagerly as if his ear drank in the sounds with delight. The music ceased, and with it the animation of the little captive, who relapsed into his usual contemplative mood; leaving his mistress to question, in vain, what dream of the past the strain of the wandering minstrel had recalled; whether it carried him to the spicy groves of his native land, and the songs. of birds he was wont to hear there; or, what is perhaps more probable, whether it might not bring back the remembrance of some favourite air of a former owner, often played in his pre sence. We must not fail to mention another particular of the pretty Javanese. When he first came to his present home, he had a fair companion who shared his cage with him: the lady-sparrow in a few weeks sickened and died; her mate soon after moulted, when the white spots on the side of his head became black, and remained so till the next moulting season: he then laid aside his mourning garb, and resumed his former appearance. You ask me, lady, why the hours Fleet gaily in this home of mineThis sunny home, where fragrant flowers Above their marble base entwine; If sage's lore or poet's lay Have power to charm my listening ear; Or tales of countries far away, Or attic wit that sparkles here? Nor lore, nor lay, nor wit I prize; Nor tale, nor converse sweet, beguile My ev'ning hours, though gazing eyes Admire my graceful form the while. 'Tis cordial kindness, fond and true, Still makes my life one summer day, And brightens ev'ry joy for you, That glows in friendship's genial ray. Oh! take your lyre, and while my song Free as the birds that float in air, Your course no narrow precincts bounds; Go, soften woe and lighten care, And spread the balm of kindness round. L. طح G ORDER PASSERES. The Goldfinch. Fringilla carduelis. THIS is one of the most elegant of our English birds; graceful in form, and arrayed in much more brilliant colours than the birds of this climate usually exhibit. It has also a sweet and cheerful song, which is heard from the earliest days of spring; but it is in the month of May that it gives us its sweetest and fullest strains: perched on a tree it will pour forth its notes from early morning till set of sun, and make the orchard resound with its music. It continues to sing till the month of August, except durin ̧ the period at which it is rearing its young; then all its time and attention are devoted to parental duties. The male bird, though very attentive to his pretty mate, does not assist her in building the nest; but he is constantly watching over her, either close by her side, or perched on the nearest tree; and this he does, both when she is seeking her food, and while engaged in preparing the abode |