California Farmer and Journal of Useful Sciences, Volume 39, Number 10, 3 April 1873 — THE BIRDS. [ARTICLE]

THE BIRDS.

One day in the blueat of summer weather,

Stretching under a whisperiag oak, I beard Are bobolinks laughing together Over some ornithological joke.

What the fun waa 1 couldn't discover— Language of blrda Is a riddle on earth ; What could they Snd in buckwheat aod clover To split their sides with aucb musical mirth f

Waa it some prank of the prodigal summer— Face In tho clouda or voice in tho breoie— Qaaruloas cat-bird—wood pecker drummer — Cawlogof crows high over tbe trees t

Waa It some chip monk's chatter —er weasel Voder the stone wall stealthy and aly I— Or waa the joke about me at my easel. Trying to catch the tints of the aky *

Still they new tiptily, shaking all over, Bubbling with jollity, briaa'ul of gleeWhile I sat list* nlng deep In tbe clorer Wondering what their jargon could be.

'Two, but tbe vuice of a morning the bri|btevt That over dawned over yon ■badowy Mils; 'Twaa hut the song of al) joy that ta lightest— Sunshine bieaking in laughter and iii.it. Valo to conjecture the words ihey are singing, Only by tone, can we follow the tune ; to the full heart of the summer fields ringing, Ringing the rhythmlsal gladness of June -SeleeUd.