It mimics the vireo's song, Insistent and jerky and sweet; Like a robin it ripples along, Like a sparrow it rhymes with the street. Its call is now fluty and far, Like a veery at sunset alone; Now sad as the wood pewees are, Now bright as the oriole's tone; Now mocking the doughty chewink, Now bold in the call of the jay; Now matching the crazed bobolink, Or the meadowlark's brisk roundelay; And all through the marvellous feat A something uncanny, untrue, A tang of the mocker, the cheat, A hint of a petulant mew! |