Gray Parrot

A Dreadful thief is old Blue Jay, He robs the other birds, they say; He wears a handsome suit of blue, And calls a gay “Good-day” to you.

Sparrow’s an Englishman, I’m told, His manners are both rude and bold; Other birds wish he’d go away, But he says: “No, I’ve come to stay.”

At evening, when the world is still, Mournfully sings the Whip-Poor-Will In his brown suit, all trimmed with white, He slips so softly through the night.

Eave Swallow, in his nest of clay, Always has lots of things to say; He and his brothers often race, Catching the insects ’round the place.

Sea Dove, sometimes called “Little Auk,” Flies very little, likes to walk; He wears a coat of feathers warm And doesn’t seem to mind the storm.

Loon is a fearless diver bold, He does n’t mind the heat or cold; He dives and swims—oh, very far, And then bobs up and laughs “Ha-Ha!”

Mocking bird is very clever, Uses her own notes hardly ever, But saucily sings bits of song Which to the other birds belong.

“O dear, dear me!” Wood-Pecker said, “The birds all shout at me, ‘Redhead’; It makes me feel so very sad, No wonder that my temper’s bad!”

To save his little home from harm, Crested Flycatcher has a charm: He finds and places in his nest A piece of Mr. Snake’s old vest.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker said: “Dear me! They’re cutting down my family tree; Where can I live, I’d like to know, If men will spoil the forest so?”

Night Hawk is lazy, sleeps all day, And then comes out at night to play; He always wears his evening clothes And when it’s daylight, home he goes.

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.