A Bird, came down the Walk —

He did not know I saw —

He bit an Angle Worm in halves

And ate the fellow, raw,


And then, he drank a Dew

From a convenient Grass —

And then hopped sidewise to the Wall

To let a Beetle pass —


He glanced with rapid eyes,

That hurried all abroad —

They looked like frightened Beads, I thought,

He stirred his Velvet Head. —


Like one in danger, Cautious,

I offered him a Crumb,

And he unrolled his feathers,

And rowed him softer Home —


Than Oars divide the Ocean,

Too silver for a seam,

Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon,

Leap, plashless as they swim.


1. PART A: Which statement best identifies the theme of the poem?

A Fear and loneliness are most noticeable when a person immerses themselves in nature.

B Animals rarely trust humans, despite the good intentions most people possess.

C Humans do not know how to interact with animals.

D Nature exists in a state of beauty separate from humans.


2. PART B: Which detail from the text best supports the answer to Part A?

A Lines 1-2

B Lines 5-9

C Lines 13-16

D Lines 17-19


3. How does the description of the bird in stanza 3 develop the meaning of the poem?

A He is described as wild, which emphasizes how nature is free and unrestrained.

B His features are compared to decorative elements, which emphasizes how people attribute civilized qualities to nature.

C The bird’s features are classified in a scientific way, which conveys how nature can be understood.

D The bird hides his beautiful features, which illustrates how animals do not trust humans.


4. How does the line “like one in danger, Cautious,” contribute to the meaning of the poem (Line 13)?


5. How does the final stanza contribute to the development of the poem’s theme?