20 BIEDS AND POETS 



his lines "To a Water-fowl," — a subject so well 

 suited to the peculiar, simple, and deliberate mo- 

 tion of his mind; at the same time it is fit that the 

 poet who sings of " The Planting of the Apple-tree " 

 should render into words the song of "Kobert of 

 Lincoln." I subjoin a few stanzas: — 



ROBERT OF LINCOLN. 



Merrily swinging on brier and weed, 

 Near to tlie nest of his little dame, 

 Over the monntain-side or mead, 

 Robert of Lincoln is telling his name : 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink : 

 Snug and safe is that nest of ours, 

 Hidden among the summer flowers. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Robert of Lincoln is gayly drest, 



Wearing a bright black wedding-coat, 

 White are his shoulders and white his crest, 

 Hear him call in his merry note : 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink : 

 Look what a nice new coat is mine. 

 Sure there was never a bird so fine. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife. 



Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings, 

 Passing at home a patient life. 

 Broods in the grass while her husband sings. 

 Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink : 

 Brood, kind creature ; you need not fear 

 Thieves and robbers while I am here. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



But it has been reserved for a practical ornitholo- 

 gist, Mr. Wilson Flagg, to write by far the best 



