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AMERIOAN ORNITHOLOGY, 



111 



1 





ESTHER'S SECRET, 



By Isaac E. Hess. 









O ! I've found the cutest secret 

 Where our catbird loves to sit; 



No one knows 'bout it but me yet 

 'Cause I just now 'scovered it. 









Our two catbirds came here one day — 

 O, my ! how I wished they'd stay ; 



'En they did — until last Sunday^ 

 'Member then, one went away. 









Hav'nt seen her since 'till just now. 

 And I must'nt make her stir. 



Was afraid old Tabby somehow 



Knew what had become of her. • 



' 







Can you guess what she's been hiding, 

 O, so cute with not a sign, 



All this long time she's been biding 

 In our honej'^-suckle vine.^ 



Philoy Illinois, 











mn 



