Part 69

“I will build over the schoolhouse door,” said the Phoebe; “there is a peafield near by that will need me to keep the weevils away.”

“I think I will take the nice little nook under the gable,” said Jennie Wren, “though I need not build for two weeks yet, and I have not even chosen my mate.”

“I shall go to the sill of that upper window where the blind is half closed,” said the Robin. “They have planted early cauliflowers in the great field and I must help the farmer catch the cutworms.”

“I will stay by also,” said the Woodpecker. “I know of a charming hole in an old telegraph pole and I can see to the bark of all the trees that shade the schoolhouse.”

Just then a gust of wind blew through the branches, reminding the birds that they must go to work, and May passed by whispering with Heart of Nature, her companion, about the work that must be done before June should come,—June, with her gown all embroidered with roses and a circle of young birds fluttering about her head for a hat.

“Dear Master,” May said, “why am I always hurried and always working? I do more than all other months. July basks in the sun and August sits with her hands folded while the people gather in her crops. Each year March quarrels with Winter and does no work; then April cries her eyes out over her task, leaving it dim and colourless. Even the willow wears only pale yellow wands until I touch them. The leaf buds only half unfold, and the birds hold aloof from the undraped trees; see, nothing thrives without me.” And May shook the branches of a cherry tree and it was powdered with white blossoms.

“Nothing grows by or for itself,” said Heart of Nature, tenderly. “The tree is for bird and the bird for the tree, while both working together are for the house-people if they will only understand me and use them wisely. Never complain of work, sweet daughter May. Be thankful that you have the quickening touch, for to work in my garden is to be happy.”

Then the Song Sparrow caught up the words and wove them in his song and carolled it in May’s ear as she swept up the hillside to set the red-bells chiming for a holiday.

* * * * *

These are the verses that the children recited. Goldilocks asked the question in the first line of each verse, and the child who represented the bird answered. Little Clary was the first,—the Chippy,—and as she said the words she raised her arms and flapped them like wings; the parents all applauded with delight.

THE BIRDS AND THE HOURS

4 A.M. Who is the bird of the early dawn? The brown-capped Chippy, who from the lawn Raises his wings and with rapture thrills, While his simple ditty he softly trills.

5 A.M. Who is the bird of the risen sun? The Robin’s chorus is well-nigh done When Bobolink swings from the clover high, And scatters his love-notes across the sky.

9 A.M. Who is the bird of the calm forenoon? The Catbird gay with his jeering tune, Who scolds and mimics and waves his wings And jerks his tail as he wildly sings.

Noon Who is the bird of the middle day? The green-winged, red-eyed Vireo gay, Who talks and preaches, yet keeps an eye On every stranger who passes by.

5 P.M. Who is the bird of the afternoon? The Wood Thrush shy, with his silvery tune Of flute and zither and flageolet; His rippling song you will never forget.

7 P.M. Who is the bird of the coming night? The tawny Veery, who out of sight In cool dim green o’er the waterway The lullaby echoes of sleeping day.

9 P.M. Who is the bird that when all is still Like a banshee calls? The Whip-poor-will; Who greets the Nighthawk in upper air Where they take their supper of insect fare.

Midnight Who are the birds that at midnight’s stroke Play hide-and-seek in the half-dead oak? And laugh and scream ’till the watch-dog howls? The wise-looking, mouse-hunting young Screech Owls.

All in chorus Good Night! Good Day! Be kind to the birds and help repay The songs they sing you the livelong day, The bugs they gobble and put to flight— Without birds, orchards would perish quite! Good Day! Good Night!

—M. O. W.

Tommy and Dave, who represented the Screech Owls, followed up the last “good night” by a very realistic imitation of the mewing call-note and the cry of the little Screech Owl, that not only brought down the house, but caused the guests to go home in a state of laughing good humour.

XXVI SOME BIRDS THAT COME IN MAY

In Apple-blossom Time look for Orioles and All the Brightly Coloured Birds.

“In May you must get up early and keep both eyes and ears wide open if you would name this month’s share of the birds. All that have not come must do so now or never, though sick and crippled birds may straggle along at any time.

“These are the birds you may expect during the month. Some you already know from both pictures and stories, and these will seem like old friends:—

Yellow-billed Cuckoo Nighthawk Humming-bird Kingbird Baltimore Oriole Bobolink Indigo-bird Scarlet Tanager Red-eyed Vireo Yellow Warbler Maryland Yellowthroat Yellow-breasted Chat Redstart Veery Rose-breasted Grosbeak

“Some cloudy morning early in the month, you will hear a new call. At first it may suggest the coo-oo-oo of the Mourning Dove, then the drumming of the Flicker, but after waiting for a moment you realize that it is neither. The first sound is like that made by clicking the tongue rapidly against the roof of the mouth; the second sounds like cow-cow-cow-cow-cow repeated in quick succession. By this you will know that the Yellow-billed Cuckoo has come.