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.