No. 102.
Hawk and Chickens.
A hen with her brood. A child represents the "Old Buzzard," about whom the rest circle. The hen addresses the latter:
"Chickany, chickany, crany, crow.
Down in the gutter
To get the hog's supper—
What o'clock is it, old buzzard?"
The Buzzard, meanwhile, is busied in building up a fire with sticks, and abruptly names any hour, when the question and answer are repeated for each child of the ring, until twelve o'clock, thus—
"Half-past ten."
"What o'clock is it, old buzzard?"
"Half-past eleven."
"What o'clock is it, old buzzard?"
"Twelve o'clock."
The ring now halts, and the dialogue proceeds:
"Old buzzard, old buzzard, what are you doing?"
"Picking up sticks."
"What do you want the sticks for?"
"To build a fire."
"What are you building a fire for?"
"To broil a chicken."
"Where are you going to get the chicken?"
"Out of your flock."
The Buzzard gives chase and captures a child. He brings him back, lays him down, and proceeds to dress him for dinner. All the rest stand round in admiring silence. The Buzzard asks,
"Will you be picked or scraped?"
According to the choice he proceeds as if picking the feathers of a bird or scaling a fish, and continues, with appropriate action,