118 OUR NATIVE BIRDS 



2. Report at Hollow Oaks in the dawn, 



I will read you some sense from sound papers. 

 But please be as quiet as grass on the lawn, 

 I must hear the mice cut their capers. 



[Boy, large or small ; cap, suit, and wings of brown, with white 

 figures ; two tufts of brown paper attached to the cap will suggest 

 the ear feathers.] 



The Wild Ducks 



1. In reeds and rush and northern rice our mother 



made our home, 

 Under her wings we slept at night on moss of the 



muskrat's dome, 



And then we learned to dive and swim, 

 As never boys could swim, 

 And then we fished for crab and leech, 

 And played on the sand of the rippled beach. 



2. When the bees have buzzed in the goldenrod long, 

 Our wings have grown swift and strong ; 



When the first snow falls on rush and broom, 

 We journey southward with brant and loon. 



[Boy of eight to fourteen, small cap and collar black, vest and 

 trousers very light gray, coat black, wings black.] 



The Meadow Lark 



1. Snow, cold, and drizzle of coming spring, 



Can never make me cross. 



My heart is ever happy to sing, 



My joy can never be lost. 



