The Snowbird's Song
The ground was all covered with snow, one day,
And two little sisters were busy at play--
A snowbird was sitting close by on a tree,
And merrily singing his chick-a-de-dee!
He had not been singing that tune very long,
When Emily heard him, so loud was his song.
"Oh, sister, look out of the window!" said she,
"Here's a dear little bird, singing chick-a-de-dee!
"Poor fellow! he walks in the snow and the sleet
And has neither stockings nor shoes on his feet,
I wonder what makes him so full of his glee,
And why he keeps singing, his chick-a-de-dee.
"If I were a barefooted snowbird, I know,
I would not stay out in the cold and the snow.
I pity him so! Oh, how cold he must be,
And yet he keeps singing his chick-a-de-dee.
"Oh, mother, do get him some stockings and shoes,
And a nice little frock, and a hat, let him choose.
I wish he'd come into the parlour, and see
How warm we would make him, poor chick-a-de-dee!"
The bird had flown down for some sweet crumbs of bread,
And heard every word little Emily said.
"How funny I'd look in that costume!" thought he,
And he laughed, as he warbled his chick-a-de-dee.
"I am grateful," said he, "for the wish you express,
But I have no occasion for such a fine dress.
I'd rather remain with my little limbs free,
Than to hobble about singing chick-a-de-dee.
"There is One, my dear child, though I cannot tell who,
Has clothed me already, and warm enough, too.
Good morning! Oh, who are so happy as we?"
And away he flew, singing his chick-a-de-dee.
More
-
All About The Meadow Lark
Usually resident--sometimes goes south in late October, returning in April. Song--a very beautiful sweet, clear whistle--heard in the early spring and in the autumn--usually quite silent during brooding season. Female much paler in colour than ... All About The Raven
Three times the size of robin. Does not migrate, but is usually resident in the place where it can best provide for itself and family. Is glossy black in colour, with gleams of purple and green above--duller underneath. Flies in wide circles... All About The Robin
One of the first birds to return in the spring--migrates north early in March--sometimes remains during winter--stays north as late as October or November. Domestic--generally preferring to live near the home of man. Song--though short and alwa... All About The Sea-dove
Goes far north in nesting season. Found in Illinois swamps, and as far north as Greenland. Small bird with entire upper parts almost black--under parts white--wings tipped with white, bill black--feet pale red--toes webbed. Food obtained f... All About The Woodpecker
Comes north in May--often stays all winter--most commonly seen in the fall. Song--shrill, lively call resembling the voice of the tree-frog. Male and female have crimson head and neck--upper parts black with white marking--white band across win... Chilly Little Chickadees
Chilly little chickadees, Sitting in a row, Chilly little chickadees, Buried in the snow, Don't you find it very cold For your little feet? Don't you find it hard to get Anything to eat? Hungry little chickadees, Would yo... How The Birds Got Their Feathers Iroquois Myth
That evening, as the family sat beside the hearth, Phyllis thought of the brave little chickadees out in the fir-trees. "I wonder if they are really warm enough," she said. "Do feathers make a warm dress, mother? Why do birds have feathers inste... Origin Of The Raven And The Macaw Zuni Creation Myth
Long, long ago there were but few Indians on the earth. The world was not as it is now. The earth people did not understand things as they now understand them. It therefore happened that a beautiful Indian prince came to live with the earth peo... Robert Of Lincoln
Merrily swinging on brier and weed, Near to the nest of his little dame, Over the mountainside or mead, Robert of Lincoln is telling his name. "Bobolink, bob-o'-link, Spink, spank, spink; Snug and safe is that nest o... Robin Redbreast Merry Robin Redbreast
"Robin, robin redbreast, Singing on the bough, Come and get your breakfast, We will feed you now. Robin likes the golden grain, Nods his head and sings again: 'Chirping, chirping cheerily, Here I come so merrily, Thank... Sea-pigeons
It was very early in the spring. The sun rose, stayed for only a moment above the horizon, and then sank again from the sight of Eskimo children. But already huge icebergs broke from the shore and floated out to sea. Already the icy winds hurrie... The Bobolink A Summer Song
He sat upon the tallest bending grass stalk. He paid not the slightest attention to Phyllis. He just swung lightly with the June breezes, and sang his little heart out. Such a careless, joyous, jingling song Phyllis had never before heard. It s... The Chickadee Or Snowbird In The Snow
It was a bright, wintry day. The frost jewels sparkled on the snow. The winds blew cutting cold from the north. Phyllis, in her scarlet coat and cap, and long, warm leggings, waded in the deepest drifts she could find. Out by the garden fence ... The Circling Of Cranes
One autumn day ages and ages ago, the cranes were preparing to go south. Cranes always dreaded the cold and flew away to the summer-land at the first glitter of the frost. The crane leader had a loud, hoarse voice, and he called and called to hi... The First Hawk
During the short Greenland summer the Eskimos live along the seacoast. They put up their strange skin huts and hunt and fish and make merry through the season when the sun shines at midnight. Now in places along the Greenland coast there are steep... The Halcyon Birds
That evening Phyllis opened a new book and on almost the first page she saw something about the halcyon birds. "Perhaps it is Jack's story," she said. Then she curled herself up on the soft sofa and this is the story she read. In the beautiful... The Hawk And The Raven From The Barnyard Fence
Had not the old hen been such a watchful mother she would never have been able to care for such a big, fluffy family. Had not Phyllis been such a wide-awake little girl, she would have never heard and seen all that I am about to tell you. Mothe... The Kingfisheror Halcyon Bird With The Water Watchman
"Please, Jack," begged Phyllis. "Girls always talk," replied Jack. "I will not say a word to you--indeed I will not." "Well, if you spoil my fishing--" began Jack. "And I'll pick thimbleberries for our lunch," said Phyllis, eagerly. So i... The Lark In The Meadow
If Jack's big black dog, Nero, had not chanced to snatch Phyllis's rag doll by the head and run away with it this story would have never been written. You see, Nero bounded straight across the meadow and Phyllis, fearing that she would lose the d... The Owl
When cats run home, and light is come And dew is cold upon the ground, And the far-off stream is dumb, And the whirring sail goes round, And the whirring sail goes round, Alone and warming his five wits The white owl in the be... The Owl
When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail; When blood is nipped and ways be foul, Then nightly sings the staring owl, "Tu-who!... The Owl And The Raven
Once upon a time the owl and the raven were fast friends. They lived beside the same stream. They built their nests in a tree side by side. They sang the same songs. They ate the same food. They wore dresses of the same pale gray. There was... The Owl Girl
Once a very queer little girl lived in a village beside the great Yukon River. This little girl did not care to play with other children. Indeed, all day long she would sit inside the stone hut and sleep. But as soon as evening came the little... The Red-headed Woodpecker In Cap Of Red
Phyllis sat in her own room, rocking her doll to sleep. The window was open and the curtain flapped idly in the breeze. Presently into the room darted a bird. He was beautifully dressed. His soft gray uniform was spotted and barred with white. ... The Robin's Red Breast
It was very cold in the north country. The ice was thick and the snow was deep. The seal and the white bear were happy. They liked the ice, the snow, and the cutting north wind, for their fur was thick and warm. One night the great white bear... The Sandpiper
Across the narrow beach we flit, One little sandpiper and I; And fast I gather, bit by bit, The scattered driftwood bleached and dry. The wild waves reach their hands for it, The wild wind raves, the tide runs high, As up and ... The Sea-doves And The Great Blue Heron Beside The Sea
One hot August day Phyllis went to the seashore to live. "Such fun," she cried, as the train drew up at the seaside station. "Such fun as I shall have playing in the sand and wading in the water." It was not half an hour before she was running a... The Snowbird's Song
The ground was all covered with snow, one day, And two little sisters were busy at play-- A snowbird was sitting close by on a tree, And merrily singing his chick-a-de-dee! He had not been singing that tune very long, When Emily hear... The Song Of The Merry Lark
Once there was an old gray pussy, and she went down into the meadow, where she saw a merry lark flying among the tall reeds; and pussy said, "Where are you going, little lark?" And the merry lark answered, "I am going to the king to sing him a son... The Swallow Under The Eaves
It was the tenth day of April. Phyllis knew the date because it chanced to be her birthday. She was just eight years old. The sun shone very warm and bright, and the buds were growing big and red on the horse-chestnut-trees. "I shall go down ... The Swallows
Once upon a time some Eskimo children were playing in the wet clay by the seashore. They were making tiny toy houses of the clay. These houses they fastened high on the face of the cliff. The children chattered and laughed. They ran gaily to an... Twenty Little Chickadees
Twenty little chickadees, Sitting in a row; Twenty pairs of naked feet Buried in the snow. I should think you'd fly away Where the weather's warm, Then you wouldn't have to be Out there in the storm. Sorry little chi... Which Was The Wiser?
One morning in the early spring a raven was sitting on one of the branches of an old oak. He felt very ugly and cross, and could only say, "Croak! Croak!" Soon a little robin, who was looking for a place to build her nest, came, with a merry so...