University of Virginia Library

In books of travels I have heard
Of a wise thing, the Tailor-bird;
A bird of wondrous skill, that sews,
Upon the bough whereon it grows,
A leaf into a nest so fair
That with it nothing can compare;
A light and lovely, airy thing
That vibrates with the breeze's wing.
Ah well! it is with cunning power
That little artist makes her bower;
But come into an English wood,
And I'll shew you a work as good,
A work the Tailor-bird's excelling,
A more elaborate, snugger dwelling,
More beautiful, upon my word,
Wrought by a little English bird.

There, where those boughs of black-thorn cross,
Behold that oval ball of moss;
Look all the forest round and round,
No fairer nest can e'er be found;
Observe it near, all knit together,
Moss, willow-down, and many a feather,
And filled within, as you may see,
As full of feathers as can be;
Whence it is called by country folk,
A fitting name, the Feather-poke;
But learned people, I have heard,
Parus caudatus, call the bird,
And others, not the learned clan,
Call it Wood-pot, and Jug, and Can.
Ay, here's a nest! a nest indeed,
That doth all other nests exceed,
Propped with the black-thorn twigs beneath,
And festooned with a wood-bine 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 green-wood place,
And spangled o'er, 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 small,
That 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 trace
This little roofed-in dwelling-place,
And does not in your bosoms spring
Love for this skilful little thing!

See, there's a window in the wall,
Peep in, the house is not so small,
But snug and cozy, you shall see
A very decent family!
Now count them—one, two, three, four, five—
Nay, sixteen merry things alive—
Sixteen young chirping things, all set
Where you, your little hand could not get!
I'm glad you've seen it, for you never
Saw aught before so soft and clever!