344 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



"The color matters not so much," 



Declared a stately Stork, 

 "But gowns should always be made short. 



Its easy then to walk." 



Then Tanager blushed rosy red, 

 For awkward Penguin cried, 



"Pray add full ruffled pantalets, 

 Your bony legs to hide." 



"Such a garb as that, may do for you," 

 Spake Peacock, in disdain, 



"But I, who royal courts attend. 

 Shall wear a gorgeous train! " 



"A wide neck-ruff, gives much more style. 

 Said Partridge. "Better yet, 



A noble crest," cried Cockatoo, 

 Kingfisher and Egret. 



Just at this point, a small gray owl. 



Who dozed upon a beech. 

 Rose, blinked his eyes, looked very wise, 



And gave a dreadful screech. 



At once, a score of tiny birds 

 Flew way back to the rear. 



While Sir Owl spoke for two long hours. 

 Mid frequent cries of "Hear." 



Each argued long, but like mankind. 

 Convinced against his will, 



When all was said, each bird maintained, 

 The same opinion still. 



And when the night, around the glen 

 Drew shadows soft and gray, 



There were as many diverse minds 

 As at the break of day. 



So, to this day, these feathered folk 

 Slight fashions stern mandate. 



The Grosbeaks wear black velvet hoods, 

 And Catbirds gowns of slate. 



The Crows still wear black glossy coats, 

 The Buntings still wear blue. 



The Blue Jays dress in blue and white, 

 I'm glad they do. Aren't you? 



ROLL OF HONOR: — Marietta Washburn, Goodwin, S. D. Geoffrey 

 J. Giles, Comfort, Texas. Ralph M. Hodnett, St. Paul, Minn. Eliza- 

 beth J. Hill, Cheshire, Conn. Stafford Francis, Exeter, N. H. Hart 

 Irvine, Mercersburg, Pa. Howard A. Houston, Wooster, O. 



