canberrabirds

'... the feather'd tribes in myriads ...'

To: Canberrabirds list <>
Subject: '... the feather'd tribes in myriads ...'
From: "David McDonald (Personal) " <>
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2026 06:53:24 +0000

Greetings. The foreshores of Lake George/Weereewa are popular birding spots.

 

Here is a little poem about the lake, published in 1875. It alludes to the lake’s birds. The poet was  James Gillespie (1844-1926) from Gininderra (sic). He was a prolific newspaper correspondent, usually using the nom de plume ‘The Wizard’. In this case he provided the initials of his name.

 

Gillespie, J 1875, 'Original poetry: Lake George', Queanbeyan Age, 29 May 1875, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news–article30598264.

 

LAKE GEORGE.

Majestic lake of water !

Thou little inland sea :

From thy high and, rocky mountain shore,

I gaze with awe on thee!

I gaze in silent wonder,

As one lost in a trance;

While on thy sheeny surface

The golden sunbeams dance.

 

What stillness reigns around thee

On a calm summer's day;

How thy blue waters sparkle

Beneath the sun's fierce ray,

And the feather'd tribes in myriads

Sail gracefully along,

Each muttering as he slowly moves,

His own mysterious song.

 

When the hurricane sweeps oe'r thee,

How thy turbid waters roar,

As thy waves dash wildly onward

'Gainst thy rugged mountain shore!

There's a mystic charm about thee

That fills my heart with glee,

And makes my thoughts to wander T

To the deep and boundless sea.

 

As I turn to leave thy margin,

A thought steals o'er my mind,

And I dwell with fond remembrance

On the scene I leave behind;

And I ask myself this question

Shall I see thee any more ?

Oh, would that I could ever dwell

On thy rocky mountain shore !

 

J. G., Gininderra, April 24, 1875

 

So far as I know he did not win any literary awards for this work!

 

David

 

--

David McDonald

1004 Norton Road, Wamboin NSW 2620, Australia

Mobile: 0416 231 890 | Tel: (02) 6238 3706

E-mail: m("dnmcdonald.id.au","david");">

 

 

 

 

 


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