THE ANIMAL ALPHABET

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 146, 17 March 1934, Page 23

THE ANIMAL ALPHABET

The Antelope Is full of hope For ono thing and another. He gallops fast Is never last. When dashing into cover. The Beaver's bite Must be a fright If properly inflicted. If hd bites me I hope to see Him speedily convicted. The sand-hill Crane Is very vain Of his ability To stand a week Out in the creek On one extremity. A fearful beast, To say the least, . If as the ancient Dinosaubus. He was so great, We’re fortunate He died long years before us. The slippery Eel Would doubtless feel Sincere humiliation Should you mistake Him for a snake; They're really no relation. It seems to me The little Flea Is very justly hated. I know that I’d Be satisfied Had he not been created. The billy Goat Can't sing a note; He has no education. But it is said He'll use his head And cause great consternation. The Hippopotamus is not The handsomest of creatures. But then it would Be very rude -- To criticise his features.'

It’s foolish quite To quake with fright At tho harmless, tame Ichneumon. I must admit I'm scared of it; But, then. I'm only human. The Jellyfish Has mo ambish; He drifts around the sea; He's satisfied To ride the tide; He's wretched company. The Kangaroo Feels very blue Because his legs don’t mate. Unless he trims His long hind limbs He can’t improve his gait. Nobody thinks Much of the Lynx; In fact, he's much berated. He’s very sly, And that is why He's not domesticated. The Mastodon Is dead and. gone; Quite naturally. I think, He made his home, Way up ’round Nome; No wonder he's extinct. Borne call the Newt A savage brute And say we should avoid him. But I've not seen Him very mean, . Unless, someone annoyed him. The Oyster's brain Weighs but a grain. He's ignorant and yet He’s very kind, And you will find He makes a lovely pet. I would, suggest You don't molest The prickly Porcupine. His quillsimight be Quito nicc'tb see— They do, not feel so fine. The mountain Quail Likes snow and hail And chilly weather most. He's very good Out in the wood; -lie's better upon toast.

Rhinoceros Looks cross to us And rather loose and lumpy; But I suppose A horny nose Would make us grim and grumpy. The Snail, you know, Is very slow; He doesn’t dare to roam Without his shack Upon his back, So he'll always be at home. The Tigeb knows A lot of foes; ’Most all the creatures fear him. If you should meet Him in the street, You'd best not linger near him. The Unicorn Had but one horn To jib his foemen with; It would not do To search the Zoo For him. for he’s a myth. The toughest bird ' . Of which I’ve heard. Without doubt is the Vulture. He steals and slays, And all his ways Proclaim he has no culture. The Wildcat’s name Shows he’s not tame; He's anything but mild. His friends are few; He knows it, too, And that's what makes him wild. Let’s not discuss The Xiphias, I'm sure you would be bored. The only thing Interesting About him is his sword. It's well to stay Quite far away From Yellow-jacket's nest, For he can sting Like anything; That's what he does the best. The old Zebu Would hardly do To ride -upon the street. Though he knows 'how To pull a. plow, He's anything but fleet.