THE SINGING GARDEN

The Yellow-Tailed Thornbill

I’m a fussy little fellow
  In my kilt of glowing yellow;
      As about the garden ways I bow and bend,
  Many a melody I bring to you
  In the soft, gay songs I sing to you
      With a cheery little grace note at the end—
          “Chip, chip.”
      Oh, I never miss that grace-note at the end.

Summer  into autumn passes,
  And among the seeding grasses,
      ’Mid the midges, goodly provender I gain.
  Little for your presence caring,
  Confident and greatly daring,
      I will charm you with a sudden, sweet refrain—
          “Chip, chip.”
      Oh, a very soft, yet valiant refrain.

When the  time has come for nesting,
  Our sagacity attesting,
      We erect a neat, twin-chambered bow’r of love;
  Mother in the nursery sleeping
  With the babes, while sentry keeping,
      Father has his parlour-bedroom up above—
          “Chip, chip.”
      Oh, it’s cosier—and quieter above.

In my kilt of golden yellow
  I’m a friendly little fellow,
      And my spangled sable crown I proudly bear.
  Tho’ my way be meek and lowly,
  I can capture, win you wholly
      If you’ll listen to this cheerful little air—
          “Chip, chip.”
      Oh, I’ll charm you with my cheerful little air.