The Blue Jay 



By Henry W. Roby 



You saucy, cerulean jay, 

 You chatter and clatter all day; 

 From the dawn 'till the dark 

 Round the lawn and the park, 

 You keep up a fractious foray. 



You meddlesome master of spite, 

 A conflict affords you delight; 

 From the day of your birth, 

 In your madness or mirth. 

 You're always in search of a fight. 



But still you're a cowardly jay ; 

 If a kingfisher ventures your way. 

 You abandon your pride 

 And you sneak ofif and hide 

 And lurk in the bushes all dav. 



And such a malevolent thief. 



You bring all your kindred to grief, 



And make the Lord wish 



He iiad made you a fish 



Chained down to a submarine reef. 



You rol) all the squirrels and birds. 



You plunder the flocks and the herds, 



You filch from the hens 



And the pigs in their pens. 



And steal like the Kafiirs and Kurds. 



No wonder men call you a "Jay." 

 And hate you from Nome to Cathay! 

 But the reason is plain 

 Why you're pomjious and vain, 

 God wanted one wingster that way. 



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