ENGLISH STARLING

Here’s to the stranger, so lately a ranger,

Who came from far over seas;—

Whatever the weather, still in high feather,

At top of the windy trees!

Here’s to the darling,—brave English Starling,

Stays the long winter through;

He would not leave us, would not bereave us,—

Not he, though our own birds do!

Cold weather pinches—flown are the finches,

Thrushes and warblers too!

Here’s to the darling, here’s to the Starling,—

English Starling true!

—Edith M. Thomas, in Bird-Lore.