"The blackbird's nest of grass and mud On bush and bank is found; The lapwing's darkly-spotted eggs Are laid upon the ground. "The magpie's nest is made with thorns, In leafless tree or hedge; The wild duck and the water hen Build by the water's edge. "Birds build their nests from year to year, According to their kind; Some very neat and beautiful, Some simpler ones we find. "The habits of each little bird, And all its patient skill, Are surely taught by God Himself, And ordered by His will." The other day I saw a lark's nest. It was made upon the ground; for it is true that "The bird which soars on highest wing, Builds on the ground her lowly nest." and I had to move aside the grass before I could see it. The parent-birds, I daresay, were somewhere near, but I found only the little ones, looking as if they were almost all mouth, so widely did they open their yellow beaks. If you find such a treasure, and are very careful not to touch, or even to peer and peep too much, you may have the great interest of watching over the rearing of the little family; seeing the parents bring them food, and teach them to fly; and then, when the brood has flown, the deserted nest will belong to you, if you choose to keep it; but I am afraid you would not care for a lark's nest, for it is not beautifully finished, as some birds' nests are, but really only the dry-grass lining of a hole in the ground. The eggs are brown, like the bird itself, which is so beautiful in its song--that lovely song which you can hear even when you can hardly see the tiny singer. "Far in the downy cloud," or but a speck in the deep blue; for the lark will "Soar up and up, quivering for very joy," singing all the time, till he is out of sight--yet never forget that low spot, hidden with grass, where his nest is.