164 A RHYME FOR THE YAPOUS. 



that of a purse, or long pouch, about thirty-six inches in 

 length, and ten in width at the lower part, where it assumes 

 the shape of a hemisphere. These nests are suspended 

 from the branches of lofty trees, generally close to the ex- 

 tremity; the entrance is situated in the side, near the top. 

 The Yapous remain in flocks, and often appear, by the 

 variety of natural and imitative sounds which they emit. 

 to be mocking the passer-by, to whom their large, singu- 

 larly-shaped nests, swinging to and fro, must look very like 

 Brobdignagian hams hung up to dry. 



1 Yapou-yapou ! ha-ha ! yapou ! ' 



The traveller turns him at the sound ; 

 He looks the forest vista through, 



Then casts a wary glance around ; 

 No chattering Monkey can he see, 



No Jay or Pie with screeching voice. 

 Whence cometh it what can it be 



That strange mysterious noise ? 



Again he hears the mocking cry 



'Yapou-yapou! ha-ha! he-he!' 

 And now he upward turns his eye, 



And lo ! upon a stately tree, 

 Amid the branches spreading wide, 



A host of birds flit to and fro, 

 Whose pendent nests from side to side 



Swing, as the breezes go. 



A happy family they seem, 



All bent for pastime and delight, 

 Amid the broken sunlight gleam 



Their checkered plumes, so golden bright ; 

 The young are peeping from each nest, 



And mimicking their parents' cries, 

 As though life were a merry jest 



No pains no miseries. 



And ere the traveller onward went, 



He stored this lesson in his heart : 

 All creatures here are well content 



With acting their appointed part, 

 Save man ; he murmurs and repines, 



And strives against his Maker's will, 

 And if it rains, or if it shines, 



He 's discontented still. 



