32 NATURAL HISTORY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF GROTON, MASS. 



BIRDS — AVES. 

 What the Birds Say. 



When light of morning is softly appearing, 



What are the voices we often are hearing, 



As we lie half dreaming and half awake, 



Listening to sounds the sweet birds make ? 



The Whippoorwill first breaks the still quiet hour, 



" Whippoorwill ! Whippoorwill ! " His voice has great power, 



Repeating it over and over again, 



Now quickly, now slowly, a mournful refrain. 



The Goldfinch breaks in with a " Swe-e-et, swe-e-et," 



Then with beautiful notes makes his sweet song complete. 



The Chippy now comes with his " Che-che-che-che ! " 



Not many birds are as early as he. 



•• Phoe'be! Phoebe'! " Hear the imperative call. 



" Come, you don't see me," is heard above all. 



Now the Song Sparrow is singing alone, 



Sweetly and clearly a musical tone. 



Soon hear " Chebeck," 'tis the Flycatcher small, 



Crying " Chebeck" in a querulous call. 



" Witchety ! witchety ! witchety ! witch !" 



Comes from the Yellow Throat down by the ditch. 



" Very early! Very early ! Wake up ! Dilatory!" 



Says Robin Redbreast in all his glory. 



Joining with him is the Oriole heard ; 



c Questions he 's asking of each little bird. 



What voice is this we soon hear so sweet ? 



Broken, 't is generally not half complete, 



When a coarse sudden " Mew ! " banishes doubt, 



For the Catbird sings sweetly, but never without 



Mixing in suddenly here and there 



The cry of the cat in every air. 



Melodious the solo which now arises, 



Tuneful, with many and sudden surprises. 



'Tis the bright Bobolink, that merry fellow, 



With his black vest and coat tinged with yellow. 



He flings his rich notes into the air, 



And warbles away with never a care 



'T is five o'clock ! The sun rises ! Hush! 



List to the wonderful song of the Thrush ! 



High, clear, flutelike, smooth, descending 



Pure, sweet and true to the very ending. 



