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Read Ebook: A Phenomenal Fauna by Wells Carolyn Herford Oliver Illustrator
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Ebook has 94 lines and 5205 words, and 2 pages
THE FIRE DOGS
Here are two Fire Dogs--they are queer, indeed; They seem to come of a three-legged breed. They have no tails, their bark is on their back; They hunt in couples, never in a pack. The day's work over, 'tis a pleasant sight To find them waiting by the fire at night.
THE MACKEREL KIT
This funny little Mackerel Kit Is not like other cats a bit; She cannot mew or scratch or purr, She has no whiskers and no fur. Yet, like all cats, her dearest wish Is just to be filled up with fish; But She always takes them steeped in brine.
GOLF LYNX
This is the merry Golf Lynx, as you see; An amiable beast, and fond of tee. Indigenous to all the country round, His snaky length lies prone along the ground. It is the fashion o'er this beast to rave, But have a care, lest you become his slave.
THE TRAVELING CRANE
The Traveling Crane's a bird, of course, Yet he possesses wondrous force. A bird of burden he must be, He lifts and pulls so mightily. And sometimes he will grasp his prey, And with it rise and soar away. His plumage is not fine, but then, He's of the greatest use to men.
THE FLYING BUTTRESS
The Flying Buttress, every day and night, Continues in his long, unwearied flight. He's not a song-bird, but he's said to be Famed for his beauty and his Symmetry. He frequents an old abbey or a manse; The ostrich eats him if he gets a chance.
THE SEA PUSS
In ocean waters the Sea Puss is found, Cat-like, forever chasing round and round. She has no claws, but crouching sly and low She stealthily puts out her undertow. And when an old seadog comes in her way I'll warrant you there is the deuce to pay!
THE BATTERING RAM
This is the Battering Ram, a fearful beast, I think he weighs a thousand tons at least. Stronger than any other kind of butter, He goes his way calmly, without a flutter. Big as an elephant, bigger than a horse, He seems the best example of brute force.
THE SPRING CHICKEN
Here's the Spring Chicken. I have heard They manufacture this queer bird From bits of leather and of strings All joined and worked by tiny springs. Whenever this fine fowl is broiled, Each of his springs should be well oiled, Or he may spring across the room And plunge his carver into gloom.
THE SHUTTLECOCK
The Shuttlecock's a handsome fowl to see, His feathers grow straight upward like a tree. He cannot crow, but oftentimes his flight Will reach up to a most astounding height. He is a gamecock, and, in fighting trim, There are not many birds that equal him.
THE SAW-BUCK
The Saw-Buck is a fearsome beast. The tramp objects to it, at least. When to the housewife he applies For coffee or for apple-pies, Right speedily he'll turn and leave her When he is seized with Saw-Buck Fever.
THE PIGEON TOAD
The Pigeon Toad's a funny little beast, He's found in every land from West to East. The children bring him in, to our amaze, And though we try to turn him out, he stays. He's never seen with soldiers, nor with fops, But with the schoolboys how he jumps and hops.
THE GOLDEN BUCK
Perhaps because it's easily approached, The Golden Buck's a game that's often poached. 'Tis sometimes mild, again 'tis strong and hearty, It may be found at many a gay stag-party. No branching antlers this strange beast adorn, But with the Golden Buck we take a horn.
THE BUMBLE PUPPY
This is the Bumblepuppy. He's quite tame, Although he's said to be a sort of game. You scorn him, yet you must--ah, there's the rub-- Accept him at your table or your club. He has his points, yet he's a pest, indeed; I would we could exterminate the breed.
THE WATCH DOG
This useful animal we keep To guard our treasure while we sleep. A pointer, not a setter, yet He's of no use unless he's set. Gaze on his open, honest face,-- There's no deception in his case. He is attached to us, 'tis plain, Though often by a slender chain.
THE GOLD EAGLE
Here's the Gold Eagle. Very rare. They say This bird is worth ten dollars any day. He has no wings, apparently, yet I Or you, or anyone can make him fly. He's very powerful--held in great esteem; And money talks, so let the eagle scream.
THE BUGBEAR
Of all the fearsome beasts beneath the sun The Bugbear is the most appalling one. At night he comes and hovers o'er our bed, Filling us with a nameless fear and dread. He is not half so terrible by day-- Sometimes he shrinks and dwindles quite away.
THE IRISH BULL
Among the stock jokes it is oft averred The Irish Bull is best of all the heard. He has no points, he has no head or tail, But many a jovial party he'll regale. And all his hearers will with laughter choke, Except his brother John, who sees no joke.
THE JAY
'Tis very strange, and yet, upon my word, This silly fellow thinks he is a bird! He lives on hayseed,--everywhere he's found, But in the country he does most abound. And at the approach of winter, , A flock of jays will migrate to the city.
FOREBEARS
Misled by certain signs of form and shape, Some think we are descended from the ape. But recent science now the truth declares The human race descended from Forebears. And since we're so inclined to war, I'll wager One of our Forebears was the Ursa Major.
THE HIGH HORSE
The High Horse often takes a foremost place Among the winners of the human race. They say one needs both brawn and brain to ride him, And even then 'tis very hard to guide him. His jockeys gaily prance and boldly scoff, But soon or late they're sure to tumble off.
The End.
Books By
CAROLYN WELLS
Children of Our Town Abeniki Caldwell The Merry-Go-Round A Phenomenal Fauna
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