8 



Bird Day Book 



SPRING 



THE alder by the river 

 Shakes out her powdery curls ; 

 The willow buds in silver 

 For little boys and girls. 



The little birds fly over, 

 And oh, how sweet they sing! 

 To tell the happy children 

 That once again 'tis spring. 



The gay green grass comes creeping 

 So soft beneath their feet; 

 The frogs begin to ripple 

 A music clear and sweet. 



And buttercups are coming, 

 And scarlet columbine ; 

 And in the sunny meadows 

 The dandelions shine. 



And just as many daisies 

 As their soft hands can hold 

 The little ones may gather, 

 All fair in white and gold. 



Here blows the warm red clover, 

 There peeps the violet blue ; 

 O, happy little children, 

 God made them all for you ! 



— Celia Thaxter. 



