In a lyric poem, the shorter the lines, the more imperative that one achieves perfect rhyme, but in the expression of any idea, there are only so many words that will permit it; in a work of that kind, imperfect rhyme is jarring—it stands out like a sore thumb, as the idiom colourfully puts it. Presently, with lexical economy, I am foregoing all manner of good imperfect rhyme in an attempt to compose in perfect rhyme the laconic—and, I hope, pithy—“Cranes and Sheep”.
Whenever I see birds flying in the V formation, I assume they are ducks or geese. I photographed this skein a few days ago and later upon closer inspection, realised it was neither. Guided once again by the shape of their bills, I believe it to be a flock of Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus).
I also photographed this bird perched on a stalk of wheat. I am unable to identify it; all I can tell, by the shape of its bill, is that it is insect-eating. I suspect it is a Cisticola; perhaps Levaillant’s Cisticola1 (Cisticola tinniens) as I saw it near a river and according to my bird guide, it is found in marshes and grassland.
- Update: I am now convinced I have identified it correctly, all my searches confirm it.
Forgotten Fields 