III.
The robin helps to brighten Winter days
And, if you listen carefully, he says,
“Oh please, oh please do leave some crumbs for me;”
It’s greed, but still he says it cheerily.
The starling rolls his “r’s” with unctuous joy
And, preening, wonders whom he may annoy,
Then imitates a hen, a water-fowl
And next the “Be quick” of a white barn-owl.
The heron has a fierce and yellow eye