Front matter
Reading edition
The Baldwin Library University of Florida
THE ILLUSTRATED ALPHABET OF BIRDS
BOSTON WM. CROSBY & H.P. NICHOLS. 1851.
A a
THE AUK A is an Auk, Of the Artic sea, He lives on the ice, Where the winds blow free.
B b
THE BLUE BIRD. B is a Blue Bird. In early spring, How sweet his songs Through the forest ring.
C c
THE CONDOR. C is a Condor, On the Andes' height, He plumes his wings For a lofty flight.
D d
THE DUCK. D is a Duck. Of the canvas back sort, To shoot at a flock Is considered fine sport.
E e
THE BALD EAGLE. E's a Bald Eagle, So bold and so free; On the flag of our country He spans land and sea.
F f
THE FISH HAWK. F is a Fish Hawk, Who lives on the shore: He catches his prey Mid the ocean's roar.
G g
THE GOOSE. G is a Goose; His feathers we take And put them in sacking Our beds to make.
H h
THE HUMMING BIRD. H is a Humming Bird, Sporting mid flowers And brightly enjoying The sunny hours.
I i
THE IBIS. I is an Ibis, Who wanders in bogs, And lives upon lizards, And fishes and frogs.
J j
THE JAY. J is a Jay, With his blue and white coat, With a crest on his head, And a ring round his throat.
K k
THE KING BIRD. K is a King Bird, Pugnacious and bold: A hero in fight, And a terrible scold.
L l
THE LARK. L is a Lark, A sociable bird; His song in the meadow Is frequently heard.
M m
THE MAGPIE. M is a Magpie, He lives at the west, Steals and scolds and eats carrion; He's none of the best.
N n
THE NIGHT HERON. N is a Night Heron, Of fishes quite fond; He looks for them now, As he stands by the pond.
O o
THE OWL. O is an Owl, Who hides through the day; And comes out at night, To seek for his prey.
P p
THE PIGEON. P is a Pigeon So rapid in flight, That before you can shoot him He's gone out of sight.
Q q
THE QUAIL. Q is a Quail, Who hides in a tree, And whistles "Bob-White" With lively glee.
R r
THE ROBIN. R is the Robin, So kind and so good, Who covered with leaves, The poor babes in the wood.
S s
THE SWALLOW. S is the Swallow, She darts through the air To catch little insects, Her favorite fare.
T t
THE TURKEY. T is a Turkey, A fine dashing beau, By his fuming and strutting, His pride you may know.
U u
THE UPUPA. U's the Upupa, Or Hoopoe. His crest He can raise or lower, As suits him best.
V v
THE VULTURE. V is a Vulture, Who feeds on the dead, When the dark battle-field, With corpses is spread.
W w
THE WOODPECKER. W's a Woodpecker, Who with his long bill, Bores holes in a tree And of worms eats his fill.
X x
THE XANTHORONUS. X is Xanthoronus, Or Baltimore Bird. Oft in our orchards, His music is heard.
Y y
THE YELLOW BIRD. Y is a Yellow Bird, With feathers so bright, Who sings all the day, And sleeps all the night.
Z z
THE LETTER Z, OR ROOST. Z stands for none of the feathered race. It must serve as a roost, Or lose the last place.
