The Cardinal ate cochineal until he turned red. 



In fighting, the Wood-pecker bloodied his head. 



The Oriole was such a gay, roving fellow, 



He flew in the sun until he burned yellow. 



The Brown Thrasher got his brown, bright and ruddy, 



Because he once fell into a brown study. 



While the Indigo Bird turned his brilliant hue, 



When he bathed in a tub of rinse-water blue. 



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