AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



145 



"I woke ere Winter took his flight," 

 So lisped Spring Beauty, pink and white, 

 "The snow was yet upon the ground 

 And most of you were sleeping sound. 

 To raise my head I made so bold 

 And found 'twas not so very cold. 

 And, when the sunbeams with me played, 

 My cheeks grew pink and so I stayed." 



Peeped through the earth the Maidenhair, 

 Her locks wound round her stems with care. 

 A drop of rain her hair unfurled. 

 And all her green locks were uncurled. 

 A zephyr, too, with soft caress. 

 Tossed to and fro each waving tress. 

 The Maiden Fern seemed not to care 

 That all the curl had left her hair. 



From bough to bough hopped Robin Red, 

 From tree to tree the news he spread. 

 Until it seemed as if each note 

 Would split his tiny, swelling throat. 

 Chirped he: "What if I do grow hoarse, 

 The flowers must be waked of course; 

 But now as they are waked and dressed. 

 In yonder tree I'll perch and rest." 



Jack-in-the-pulpit rose and said, 

 "A vote of thanks to Robin Red, 

 According to my mind, is due; 

 Will some one kindly take the cue?' 

 "I move," the Pussy-willow purred, 

 "A vote of thanks to this young bird 

 For singing such a cheery lay. 

 Awakening us to Spring's first day." 



"I second that with right good will," 

 Responded bright-eyed Daffodil; 

 Said Chairman Jack, "The vote we'll take. 

 All those opposed their heads will shake 

 While those agreed their heads will nod 

 Until they touch the garden sod." 

 Then all the flowers in their beds 

 Carried the vote by nodding heads. 



