Of sun-scorched barley, horsehairs long and stout,

All proper country-pillage—here, no doubt,

Was just the scrap to steal should line thy nest

Superbly? Off he flew, his bill possessed

The booty sure to set his wife's each wing

Greenly a-quiver. How they climb and cling,

Hang parrot-wise to bough, these blackcaps! Strange

Seemed to a city-dweller that the finch

Should stray so far to forage: at a pinch,

Was not the fine wool's self within his range