Vekmoxt Bird Clup. 



A JUNE BIRDSNESTING. 

 Miss Sara E. Gravks, Waterbury. 



Birds calling out from the thicket and treetop 

 Rapturous strains to the dear brooding mate, 



Up and away! not a moment delay, 

 Would you discover before 'tis too late. 



Over the mowing lot, daisy besprinkled. 

 Hovers and gurgles the bobolink gay, 



Through those lush grasses nobody passes, 

 Safe are his treasures close hidden away. 



Merry his laughter, defiant his ditty, 

 Where is his little wife, no one may guess. 



Wait till his brood he's supplying with food 



Watch then — the secret, perchance, you'll possess. 



High 'mong the willows the cuckoo has builded 

 Creeper and grapevine close canopy make. 



Fearless the mother love, brooding our heads above. 

 We steal softly away for devotion's sweet sake. 



This tangled thicket is tenanted surely— 

 Yellowthroat, sparrow and catbird are here; 



Lo, as I scramble through weed and bramble 

 Veery's four fledgelings deep cradled appear. 



On up the stream through the rank waving grasses, 

 Peeping within every bower, every vine, 



Wonderful histories, wild, witching mysteries. 

 Secrets of feathered folk hence shall be mine. 



Ever about me are bird songs enchanting 



Lispings and chirpings of birdlings on wing; 



Quick the ear catches the brief little snatches. 

 Gathers the rapture the light breezes fling. 



Fear not, winged darling of wildwood and meadow, 

 Safely you build near the paths I may choose; 



This June time rover's the truest of lovers. 

 Trust me then ever, you nothing shall lose. 



