AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



Oh dear! dear! my children, 



Are you hungry still? 

 I've been earnestly hoping 



You'd gotten your fill. 



I declare I've been working 



vSince just after dawn 

 And have made a full hundred 



Long trips to the lawn. 



Each time I have brought you 

 A long fat earth-worm; 



You've no idea the trouble 

 I've hearing them squirm. 



I must listen so closely 



My ear to the ground, 

 To catch (while they're working) 

 The least little sound. 



I cannot just fly there 



And find them at will; 

 I must pull each one out of 

 The sod with my bill. 



I've cleaned all the spiders 

 And bugs from the vine; 



The small ones, I brought you — 

 The large ones were mine. 



Your too small for cherries, 

 And now I'm perplexed 



My babies, to know what 

 To get for you next. 



