3 JULY 1909, Page 24

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—..ef propos of the interesting article on "The Setting Down of Birds' Songs" in last week's Spectator, I should like to remind your readers of the old French poem (I think by Charles d'Orleans) imitating the lark. As I quote from memory, and probably inaccurately, I shall be glad if you or any of your readers to whom it may be familiar will correct

the misquotations and the source if needful :— " La gentille alouette

Avec son tire-lire-a-lire

Et tire-lire-a-lire Tirelirant tire Vers la vale du ciel,

Puis son vol vers ce lieu

Vire Et desire dire Adieu Dieu! Adieu Dieu!"