Page 17 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 17
Bird life
The bird life of the grounds has always been varied and attractive. And it was so
100 years ago. A book was published in 1886 by the Rev. Charles William Benson
of Elm Park entitled Our Irish Song Birds. In his book Benson tells of his 'keeping
watch and ward with my very dear friend the late Mr Samuel Bewley, JP on the
slope of the roof of Sandford Hill'. There they sat and waited for the dawn on the
morning of Tuesday 31 May 1881 taking note of the different bird songs. Here is
his report.
There are many points of interest to be investigated with regard to the songs of
birds: as for instance, what birds sing at night, what birds sing while flying ;
which are the earliest risers, and which the latest to take rest. In order to settle
one of these problems at 1.45 am we took up our places on the slope of the roof,
and looked and listened with all our eyes and ears. The result was as follows. We
noted the exact time at whi,::h we heard the song, or saw the bird.
AM AM
l. Skylark 2.1 0 7. Gold Crest 3.00
2. Song Thrush 2.17 8. Rook 3.07
3. Blackbird 2.19 9. Great Tit 3.15
4. Redbreast 2.30 10. Chaffinch 3.17
5. Willow Warbler 2.43 11. Missel Thrush 3.20
6. Wren 2.50 12. Magpie 3.22
Here we drew the line, and adjourned to a sumptuous breakfast which awaited
us.
It was remarkable that no sparrows or other small birds were heard at this
time. Sparrows, I believe, talk often until nearly 5.0 am before they issue forth,
waiting doubtless, as Beau Brummel used to do, 'until the world is aired'.
The corncrakes, who had been 'rasping' all around the house from about 7.0
pm to 2.0 am sank down sleepy and abashed as the lark began his morning song.
Now, in this case, the old proverb, 'up with the lark' was verified, and there
was something very striking in the ascent of the bird to greet the first blush of
dawn in the East, whilst yet Arcturus, and Wega, and Altair were shining
brightly in the sky.
Upsprings the lark,
Shrill-voiced and loud, the messenger of morn;
Ere yet the shadows fly , he, mounted, sings,
Amid the dawning· clouds, and from their haunts
Calls up the tuneful nations.
I thought, as I listened, that at that hour, all through the length and breadth of
the land, these sweet and innocent voices were praising God, and I could fancy
that the ear of the great Creator was bent down to listen with pleasure to those
glad hymns of praise. Were they the only songs of praise from poor unhappy
Ireland that pierced the skies, in that serene and fragrant 'morning watch' which
I shall long remember?
Our Irish Song Birds Rev. Charles W. Benson
(Hodges Figgis, Dublin) 1886, pp. 9, 10
9
The bird life of the grounds has always been varied and attractive. And it was so
100 years ago. A book was published in 1886 by the Rev. Charles William Benson
of Elm Park entitled Our Irish Song Birds. In his book Benson tells of his 'keeping
watch and ward with my very dear friend the late Mr Samuel Bewley, JP on the
slope of the roof of Sandford Hill'. There they sat and waited for the dawn on the
morning of Tuesday 31 May 1881 taking note of the different bird songs. Here is
his report.
There are many points of interest to be investigated with regard to the songs of
birds: as for instance, what birds sing at night, what birds sing while flying ;
which are the earliest risers, and which the latest to take rest. In order to settle
one of these problems at 1.45 am we took up our places on the slope of the roof,
and looked and listened with all our eyes and ears. The result was as follows. We
noted the exact time at whi,::h we heard the song, or saw the bird.
AM AM
l. Skylark 2.1 0 7. Gold Crest 3.00
2. Song Thrush 2.17 8. Rook 3.07
3. Blackbird 2.19 9. Great Tit 3.15
4. Redbreast 2.30 10. Chaffinch 3.17
5. Willow Warbler 2.43 11. Missel Thrush 3.20
6. Wren 2.50 12. Magpie 3.22
Here we drew the line, and adjourned to a sumptuous breakfast which awaited
us.
It was remarkable that no sparrows or other small birds were heard at this
time. Sparrows, I believe, talk often until nearly 5.0 am before they issue forth,
waiting doubtless, as Beau Brummel used to do, 'until the world is aired'.
The corncrakes, who had been 'rasping' all around the house from about 7.0
pm to 2.0 am sank down sleepy and abashed as the lark began his morning song.
Now, in this case, the old proverb, 'up with the lark' was verified, and there
was something very striking in the ascent of the bird to greet the first blush of
dawn in the East, whilst yet Arcturus, and Wega, and Altair were shining
brightly in the sky.
Upsprings the lark,
Shrill-voiced and loud, the messenger of morn;
Ere yet the shadows fly , he, mounted, sings,
Amid the dawning· clouds, and from their haunts
Calls up the tuneful nations.
I thought, as I listened, that at that hour, all through the length and breadth of
the land, these sweet and innocent voices were praising God, and I could fancy
that the ear of the great Creator was bent down to listen with pleasure to those
glad hymns of praise. Were they the only songs of praise from poor unhappy
Ireland that pierced the skies, in that serene and fragrant 'morning watch' which
I shall long remember?
Our Irish Song Birds Rev. Charles W. Benson
(Hodges Figgis, Dublin) 1886, pp. 9, 10
9
