Bobolink. Reed Bird. Rice Bird 



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, 

 Keeping house while I frolic about. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Soon as the little ones chip the shell, 

 Six wide mouths are open for food; 

 Robert of Lincoln bestirs him well, 

 Gathering seeds for the hungry brood. 

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

 Spink, spank, spink; 

 This new life is likely to be 

 Hard for a gay young fellow like me. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



35 



