Ivy bush tow'r came Dame OWLET the Wise,
And Counsellor CROSSBILL sat by to advise.

[Illustration: "Baron Stork, in a waltz, was allowed to excel, &c."
_Page 8._]

[Illustration: "The Dowager Lady Toucan first cut in, &c."--_Page 8._]

[Illustration: "Till a Magpie, at length, the banquet announcing, &c."
_Page 9._]

Some birds past their prime, o'er whose heads it was fated, [p 9]
Should pass many St. Valentines--yet be unmated,
Sat by, and remark'd that the prudent and sage
Were quite overlook'd in this frivolous age,
When Birds, scarce pen-feathered, were brought to a rout,
Forward Chits! from the egg-shell but newly come out:
In their youthful days, they ne'er witness'd such frisking,
And how wrong! in the GREENFINCH to flirt with the SISKIN.
So thought Lady MACKAW, and her Friend COCKATOO,
And the RAVEN foretold that no good could ensue!
They censur'd the BANTAM for strutting and crowing
In those vile pantaloons, which he fancied look'd knowing:
And a want of decorum caus'd many demurs
Against the GAME CHICKEN, for coming in spurs.

Old Alderman CORMRANT, for supper impatient,
At the Eating-room door, for an hour had been station'd,
Till a MAGPYE, at length, the banquet announcing,
Gave the signal, long wish'd for, of clamouring and pouncing;
At the well-furnish'd board all were eager to perch,
But the little Miss CREEPERS were left in the lurch.

Description must fail; and the pen is unable [p 10]
To recount all the lux'ries that cover'd the table.
Each delicate viand that taste could denote,
Wasps _a la sauce piquante_, and Flies _en compote_;
Worms and Frogs _en friture_, for the web-footed Fowl;
And a barbecu'd Mouse was prepar'd for the Owl;
Nuts, grains, fruit, and fish, to regale ev'ry palate,
And groundsel and chickweed serv'd up in a sallad,
The RAZOR-BILL carv'd for the famishing group,
And the SPOON-BILL obligingly ladled the soup;
So they fill'd all their crops with the dainties before 'em,
And the tables were clear'd with the utmost decorum.
When they gaily had caroll'd till peep of the dawn,
The Lark gently hinted, 'twas time to be gone;
And his clarion, so shrill, gave the company warning,
That Chanticleer scented the gales of the morning.
So they chirp'd, in full chorus, a friendly adieu;
And, with hearts beating light as the plumage that grew
On their merry-thought bosoms, away the