Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Richard KendallMunkittrick

1115 To Miguel de Cervantes Saavadra

A BLUEBIRD lives in yonder tree,

Likewise a little chickadee,

In two woodpeckers’ nests—rent free!

There, where the weeping willow weeps,

A dainty housewren sweetly cheeps—

From an old oriole’s nest she peeps.

I see the English sparrow tilt

Upon the limb with sun begilt,—

His nest an ancient swallow built.

So it was one of your old jests,

Eh, Mig. Cervantes, that attests

“There are no birds in last year’s nests”?