THE BIRDS BEFORE UNCLE SAM 119 



2. Of field and fallow I am the bird, 



From post and wire I call. 

 To mope or fret I never was heard 

 In spring or summer or fall. 



3. When gossamer white in autumn floats, 



When corn and grass stand sear, 

 My heart still light, no evil forbodes, 

 I still call " Spring of the Year ! " 



4. If storms of life and toilsome strife 



Load you with care and fear, 

 Remember the meadow lark's cheerful life, 

 The song of " Spring of the Year ! " 



[Girl of ten to fourteen, waist yellow with a crescent of very 

 dark brown, skirt and wings a lighter brown.] 



The Baltimore Oriole 



1. Hark, the orioles are calling 

 From the spreading elm ! 



No more snow and frost is falling, 

 Summer rules the realm. 



2. Color flashes through the bowers, 

 Sunlight on the lawn ; 

 Winter fled and April showers 

 For the south wind's balm. 



3. On the swaying bough they're singing, 

 Weaving hammock nests, 



