20 BIRDS AND POETS 
his lines “To a Water-fowl,”—a subject so well 
suited to the peculiar, simple, and deliberate mo- 
tion of his mind; at the same time it is fit that the 
poet who sings of “‘The Planting of the Apple-tree ” 
‘should render into words the song of “Robert of 
Lincoln.” I subjoin a few stanzas: — 
ROBERT OF LINCOLN. 
Merrily swinging on brier and weed, 
Near to the nest of his little dame, 
Over the mountain-side or mead, 
Robert of Lincoln is telling his name ¢ 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink : 
Snug and safe is that nest of ours, 
Hidden among the summer flowers. 
Chee, chee, chee. 
Robert of Lincoln is gayly drest, 
Wearing a bright black wedding-coat, 
White are his shoulders and white his crest, 
Hear him call in his merry note : 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink : 
Look what a nice new coat is mine, 
Sure there was never a bird so fine. 
Chee, chee, chee. 
Robert of Lincoln’s Quaker wife, 
Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings, 
Passing at home a patient life, 
Broods in the grass while her husband sings. 
Bob-o’-link, bob-o’-link, 
Spink, spank, spink : 
Brood, kind creature ; you need not fear 
Thieves and robbers while I am here. 
Chee, chee, chee. 
But it has been reserved for a practical ornitholo- 
gist, Mr. Wilson Flagg, to write by far the best 
