Public-domain ebook
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Subjects
In: Children & Young Adult Reading·Poetry·Nature/Gardening/Animals
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #47293.
The opening · free to read
Sir Rooster is a noisy chap, He wakes you from your morning nap; He sleeps but little all night through, Crows at eleven, one and two.
Mrs. Hen, the kind old dame, Always dresses just the same; She talks all day about her joys And lays nice eggs for girls and boys.
Said Guinea Hen: “I like to eat Three-cornered grains of nice buckwheat; I only want good, simple food To feed my Huffy little brood.”
Dear little, downy Gosling said: “I can’t get learning through my head; I really don’t see what’s the use— When I grow up I’ll be a goose.”
Said Father Goose: “I think I ’ll take A stroll this morning to the lake.” Mother Goose said: "Then I ’ll go, too, And maybe take a swim with you.”
Said Yellow Duckling to his brother: “Come on, let’s hide away from mother,” But he replied: “Oh, dear me, No! We’d better not, she’d worry so.”
“Honk-honk, Honk-honk,” old Snow Goose said, “I think tonight we ’ll go to bed A hundred miles due south from here,— The snow is on the way, I fear.”
In Shallow water Mallard Duck At fishing sometimes tries his luck; At other times he thinks it’s nice To nibble at the sweet wild rice.
Madam Swan’s a graceful lady, Likes to float where banks are shady; When Father Swan goes out to swim He takes the cygnets out with him.
Golden Pheasant took a notion To take a trip across the ocean, Got a nice room at the zoo And said he’d stay a year or two.
Taking his family for a walk We see old Mr. Turkey Cock; He dresses up in colors gay,— His wife wears quiet tones of gray.
Old Doctor Stork, the kind old bird, Brings the new babies, I have heard; If you should ask him, he may bring You one to keep, beneath his wing.
Sir Rook is English, don’t you know? Says: “Do not confound me with the Crow.” His family tree is large and old, Which makes his manner proud and cold.
Paradise Bird, in her new clothes, Said: “They ’re expensive, goodness knows! I ’spose, because they were so dear, I ’ll have to wear them all this year.”
Peacock’s a bird of much renown And wears a lovely cap and gown; They say he’s very, very vain And likes to show his sweeping train.
Said Nightingale: “It’s not my way To practice singing in the day, But wait till all the rest are through And I will gladly sing for you.”
Canary-Bird said to his mother: “Is that bird in the tree my brother?” Mama Canary said: “Oh, no! He’s just a cousin—wild, you know.”
Oriole, flashing wings of flame, In the spring like sunshine came, Hung his nest away up high So his babes could see the sky.
Baltimore Oriole, pretty thing, Builds his nest of bits of string; He’s sociable and likes to stay Where people live and children play.
Meadow Lark has a flute-like voice, Sings a song that’s very choice; Builds his nest low, near the ground, With woven grasses arched around.
Black, solemn-looking Mr. Crow Steals the good farmer’s corn, you know; If you ask why he breaks the laws, He answers, wisely: “Caws, caws, caws.”
Friendly little Chickadee Is just as cunning as can be; Upon your window-sill he ’ll come And thank you kindly for a crumb.
Cardinal Bird wears vivid red, He’s very amiable, ’tis said; He likes fresh fruits and seeds to eat And has a song that’s very sweet.
Magpie’s a gossip—that’s the truth— A naughty, disobedient youth; We must not judge him, but suppose He does the very best he knows.
Great Blue Heron likes to fly, And so he builds his house up high, Way in the tops of tallest trees Where he lives, happy as you please.
Bob-o-link, among the clover, Tells his name over and over; He doesn’t stay North very long And when he goes we miss his song.
Indigo Bunting comes in May, Saying cheerfully: “I’m here to stay.” He’s a nice, friendly little thing, Willing at any time to sing.
Eagle has piercing yellow eyes, He’s very strong and very wise; He’s king and master over all The other birds, both great and small.
Turkey Buzzard, on the wing, Is a most graceful-looking thing; Like scavengers, who come each day, He does much good in his own way.
Vermilion Flycatcher’s a beauty, You’ll always find him right on duty; Searches for food early and late, Bringing it to his pink-clothed mate.
Yellow Warbler comes to stay Along about the first of May; He likes to live by pond or rill And builds his nest with care and skill.
Curlew runs along the shore, To him, perhaps, it’s like a floor; Whistle, and he will answer you Something like this: “Kerloo, Kerloo.”
Sir Partridge is a drummer bold, You’ll hear him drum when days are cold. He says the nicest things to eat Are red thorn apples, ripe and sweet.
The Snowy Heron’s used to be A very fine, large family; I tell you this with great regret: Men hunt the birds their plumes to get.
Said King-Fisher: "The choicest dish I know of is a fresh caught fish; I love to fish, and, if you’ll wait, I’ll get you some—I need no bait.”
Brown Thrasher is a cheerful bird, His sweet, clear carol may be heard All through the pleasant summer day; We’re sorry when he goes away.
Said Goldfinch: “I believe in weeds; I live all winter on the seeds; In my snug coat of black and gold I really do not feel the cold.”
“Cheer up, cheer up, it’s going to rain,” Sang plump Sir Robin, “but ’tis plain We need some moisture for the ground, So dinners may be better found.”
Flitting ’round the swimming pool, Where the air is nice and cool, Red-winged Black-Bird sings in glee: “Gloogle-ee, Gloogle-ee-e.”
Quail sings a song of sheer delight: “Bob White, Bob White, Bob-Bob-Bob White.” I wonder who Bob White may be To whom he calls so merrily.
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