Birds and All Nature, Vol. VI, No 4, November 1899 — Ted’s Weather Prophet

GRANVILLE OSBORNE.

Flittin' along from tree to tree, Chipper 'n friendly ez he kin be;

Dancin' erbout on the'r talles' lim', Jes' the likeliest place fer him.

Bound ter foller 'n seems to know Very bes' places I like to go;

Bobbin' his head 'n winkin' his eye, 'S if he knew all erbout ther sky;

'Nen he nods an' sez as plain, "Goin' ter rain; goin' ter rain!"

Little feller 'ith coat all brown, Vest uv red wher' the wings come down, Primpin' his feathers 'n winkin' at me, Mincin' er-round so he kin see;

'Taint no use ter hide erway, 'At's a game what two can play;

'Course he finds me, 'nen he tries Ter make believe he's awful wise.

All uv a suddin he sez again, "Goin' ter rain, goin' ter rain!"

Climbed way up ter his nest one day, "Better be careful," I heard him say;

Ruffled his coat 'n looked so mad, I didn't 'spose he could be so bad.

Coziest nest 'at ever you seen, Snuggled way up amongst ther green;

Four little eggs, ther purtiest blue, Didn't touch one uv 'em, honest 'n true!

Robin hops on 'n begins ter explain, "Goin' ter rain, goin' ter rain!"