I was always a lover of soft-winged things.

I was always a lover of soft-winged things.

Never look for birds of this year in the nests of the last.

Never look for birds of this year in the nests of the last.

Over increasingly large areas of the United States, spring now
comes unheralded by the return of the birds, and read more

Over increasingly large areas of the United States, spring now
comes unheralded by the return of the birds, and the early
mornings are strangely silent where once they were filled with
the beauty of bird song.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.

Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.

That which prevents disagreeable flies from feeding on your
repast, was once the proud tail of a splendid bird.

That which prevents disagreeable flies from feeding on your
repast, was once the proud tail of a splendid bird.

That byrd ys nat honest
That fylythe hys owne nest.

That byrd ys nat honest
That fylythe hys owne nest.

That Raven on yon left-hand oak
(Curse on his ill-betiding croak)
Bodes me no good.

That Raven on yon left-hand oak
(Curse on his ill-betiding croak)
Bodes me no good.

The Raven's house is built with reeds,--
Sing woe, and alas is me!
And the Raven's couch read more

The Raven's house is built with reeds,--
Sing woe, and alas is me!
And the Raven's couch is spread with weeds,
High on the hollow tree;
And the Raven himself, telling his beads
In penance for his past misdeeds,
Upon the top I see.