This description tends to provide the impression of the power of this lonely but proud bird. Simile is used in the last line to describe and actual motion of the bid as it falls like a "thunderbolt." The use of the word "thunderbolt" again intensifies the feeling of power and strength of this bird.

The poem The Darkling Thrush by Hardy also deals with a bird but the bird in this case only appears in the last two stanzas of the poem. The thematic intention in this poem is firstly an expression of despair and depression; which is supported by the poetic description of the winter landscape. In the poem the protagonist feels that all hope is lost and this is emphasized by the images of the apparently dead world around him.

And Winter's dregs made desolate

The weakening eye of day.

Note that the poet uses descriptive words and images to convey his central idea in the first stanza of the poem. The use of "dregs" and "desolate" combines with the line "The weakening eye of day" to convey an image - rich view of the world as empty of meaning. The bare and barren landscape of winter echoes his feelings about life and society.

The land's sharp features seemed to be The Century's corpse outleant,

As the above analysis has hopefully shown, these two poems certainly succeed in dramatically and artistically conveying both feeling and intention.
Bibliography

Literary Terms. 5 January, 2006. http://www.armour.k12.sd.us/Mary's%20Classes/literary_terms_glossary.htm

What is Poetry? 5 January, 2006. http://contemporarylit.about.com/od/poetry/a/poetry.htm