THE MOORHEN'S BABIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22226, 28 September 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MOORHEN'S BABIES

" Eight little eggs," she softly said, " Dear little things l bow I love you, Tucked in your nest, so cosy and warm, Beautiful sunshine above you." Little black babies just out of their shells, She pictured how sweet they would look. As thoy trotted in lino round the little green pool, And paddled their feet in the brook. The pretty green rushes were waving above, Like sentinels over her head. Guarding the nest with its eight little eggs, Sheltering tho wee, cosy bed. Hark! Mother Moorhen is singing a song, Crowing away in her glee, "Oh! What a beautiful world it is For fi mother of eight," said she. " Having brown rushes to guard mo above, Tho pond for my home below, And no one to know of my snug little nest. But tho fishes that swim to and fro. " Coo," sang the mother again and again, And a soft little " Coo " gave she For "Crack, crack, crack!" go the little brown shells, And she quivered and quivered with glee. Eight little babies to greet the world, With a proud little mother behind. Cuddled down in their nook by the side of tho brook, Sweeter nestlings you never could find. —Margaret Rankin.