lendid,
Where gold with each hue of the Rainbow was blended:
In silver and black, like a fair pensive Maid,
Who mourns for her love, was the other array'd.
The CHOUGH came from Cornwall, and brought up his Wife;
The GROUSE travell'd south, from his Lairdship in Fife;
The BUNTING forsook her soft nest in the reeds, [p 7]
And the WIDOW-BIRD came, though she still wore her weeds.
Sir John HERON, of the Lakes, strutted in a _grand pas_,
But no card had been sent to the pilfering DAW,
As the Peacock kept up his progenitor's quarrel,
Which AEsop relates, about cast-off apparel;
For Birds are like Men in their contests together,
And, in questions of right, can dispute for a feather.

[Illustration: "From his high rock-built eyrie the Eagle came forth, &c."
_Page 6._]

[Illustration: "A holly-bush form'd the orchestra, &c."--_Page 7._]

The PEACOCK, Imperial, the pride of his race,
Receiv'd all his guests with an infinite grace,
Wav'd high his blue neck, and his train he display'd,
Embroider'd with gold, and with em'ralds inlaid.
Then with all the gay troop to the shrubb'ry repair'd,
Where the musical Birds had a concert prepar'd;
A holly bush form'd the Orchestra, and in it
Sat the Black-bird, the Thrush, the Lark, and the Linnet;
A BULL-FINCH, a captive! almost from the nest,
Now escap'd from his cage, and, with liberty blest,
In a sweet mellow tone, join'd the lessons of art
With the accents of nature, which flow'd from his heart.
The CANARY, a much admir'd foreign musician, [p 8]
Condescended to sing to the Fowls of condition.
While the NIGHTINGALE warbled and quaver'd so fine,
That they all clapp'd their wings, and pronounc'd it divine!
The SKY LARK, in extacy, sang from a cloud,
And CHANTICLEER crow'd, and the YAFFIL laugh'd loud.
The dancing began, when the singing was over;
A DOTTERELL first opened the ball with the PLOVER;
Baron STORK, in a waltz, was allowed to excel,
With his beautiful partner, the fair DEMOISELLE;
And a newly-fledg'd GOSLING, so fair and genteel,
A minuet swam with the spruce Mr. TEAL.
A London-bred SPARROW--a pert forward Cit!
Danc'd a reel with Miss WAGTAIL, and little TOM TIT.
And the Sieur GUILLEMOT next performed a _pas seul_,
While the elderly bipeds were playing a Pool.
The Dowager Lady TOUCAN first cut in,
With old Doctor BUZZARD and Adm'ral PENGUIN,
From