152 The Nature-Study Idea 



Passing at home a patient life, 



Broods in the grass while her husband sings: 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink; 



Brood, kind creature; you need not fear 

 Thieves and robbers while I am here. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Modest and shy as a nun is she; 



One weak chirp is her only note. 

 Braggart and prince of braggarts is he, 

 Pouring boasts from his little throat: 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink; 

 Never was I afraid of man ; 

 Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can! 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Six white eggs on a bed of hay, 



Flecked with purple, a pretty sight! 

 There as the mother sits all day, 

 Robert is singing with all his might: 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink; 

 Nice good wife, that never goes out, 



