Pee) le semen Uae OB OONY SO Orel Bley, 
The Chickadee 
A puff of snow-dust from the twig 
And then appears the periwig 
Of shining black of chickadee. 
He puts faint-heartedness to rout 
Because he is himself so stout 
Of heart—nay, were he twice as big, 
"T would pass belief of one so wee. 
I’ve seen him oft—and so have you— 
Pierce the dead mullein through and through 
To find some fat cold-storage grub. 
He puts all daintiness to shame— 
For daintier than that feathered frame 
There nothing is. Rub-dub-a-dub! 
The feast is spread at his tattoo. 
Most tender are the brave—ah, me! 
When alder and witch hazel bloom, 
In all the woods is any room 
For other wandering lover’s plea 
Save his who makes such sweet complaint 
That, were she twenty times a saint, 
At last must melt his chickadee. 
EDWARD R. ForD 
19 
