THE BIRDS BEFORE UNCLE SAM 115 



The Woodpecker 

 I am birddom's carpenter, 

 Can make the splinters fly ; 

 On poles and posts and forest trees 

 My merry trade I ply. 

 My bill is my chisel, 

 My tail is my stool ; 

 I'm never tired of climbing. 

 For bluebirds, and " daydees," 

 And downy owl babies 

 I make the woods ringing, 

 Cut rafters and railing. 



[Boy of ten to fourteen, with red cap and collar, white vest, 

 trousers black, wings black, with a large white spot.] 



The Bobolink 



1. Robert of Lincoln is my full name ; 



I sing just for love, not for money or fame. 

 My nest on the meadow few boys have found out, 

 There I chatter and sing and gambol about ; 

 Black, white, and brown are my colors so gay, 

 To be sure I'm prettier than any young jay. 



2. Just one favor I will ask you : 

 Pray, solemnly promise me 

 Not to disturb the blackbirds 

 Singing their "okalee." 



The blackbirds with the carmine wings, 

 And those with golden heads, 

 And grackle, and all on bush and reeds, 

 That bathe where the cat-tails swing. 



