The Nuthatch Brothers 



By GARRETT NEWKIRK 

 Mr. W. B. (White-breasted) Mr. R B. (Red-breasted) 



Head up or head down, 

 Like a jolly old clown; 



In and out, 



Quick about, 

 With many a prank, 

 And a laughing "Quank-Quank. 



Then hunting for food 

 In the bark or the moss ; 

 And who do you think 



Clipped his tail. 



With the shears, 



Straight across? 



With a cut-away coat 

 And a broad white vest, 



And a high standing collar. 

 He is always well dressed. 



And his brother, R. B. 

 Sometimes you may see, 

 Though he often stays North 

 Where he loves a pine tree. 

 Whether upper or under 

 Along a big limb, 

 With head up or down. 

 Any way pleases him. 



If he'll keep still a second, 



No doubt you may spy 

 A long whitish line, 



Just over his eye. 

 And both of these 



Brothers 

 Are friends of the trees. 



With catching of slugs 

 Where they bore in the dark. 



And thousands of bugs, 

 Just under the bark. 



If trees could use words. 

 No doubt they would say, 



"How we love the dear birds,- 

 Protect them, we pray." 



(3") 



