Barn Swallow is a graceful thing, Catches his food upon the wing; Perhaps that’s why he is so fond Of skimming lightly o ’er the pond.
Laughing Gull seems free from care, He’s always laughing everywhere; He never tells what it’s about And no one yet has found it out.
Starling’s a pretty little dear, He lives in Europe, too, we hear; The folks in Ireland, so we’re told, Think that he’s worth his weight in gold.
Said busy little Jenny Wren: “I like to live where there are men; I come each year to the same place So I can see some friendly face.”
Mourning Dove is very sweet, She likes nice grains and seeds to eat; In her soft voice she calls: “Coo, coo,” Which means in Dove talk, “I love you.”
Red-Shafted Flicker hops around, Eating the ants upon the ground; He builds in any hollow tree Where he’s as snug as snug can be.
Green Jay lives in Rio Grande, A member of a robber band; He’s very beautiful, but oh! We wish he would n’t plunder so!
Cow-Bird is lazy, sad to say, She lives in quite a selfish way; She’s neither pretty nor polite And never tries to do what’s right.
Cuckoo’s a quiet, useful bird, He eats the naughty worms, I’ve heard, And from the woods he calls to you His simple song:—“Cuckoo, cuckoo.”
The Snow Bird said: “Let’s have some fun, The storm is over—there’s the sun.” He rolled and tumbled in the snow, Like other little ones you know.
Under a bridge, where all day long The brooklet sings its happy song, Phoebe Bird builds her nest of clay To which she comes each year to stay.
Scarlet Flamingo said: “Just think! I really thought this gown was pink, But when you see it in this light, It’s red—I fear it’s rather bright.”
Here is old Mr. Pelican, He is a famous fisherman; Said he: “I do not mind wet feet If I catch fish enough to eat.”
Puffin walks better than he flies, He has red feet and queer white eyes; He’s such a funny little fellow With his great beak of red and yellow.
Lyre Bird’s an Australian child, She lives in lonely places wild, And builds upon the rocky ground The queerest nest which can be found.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bird Children, by Elizabeth Gordon