Robert M. Chute

A Bird's Life

In Floridia’s swamps William Bartram
sketches, describes, the Limpkin --
the crying bird -- and notes ‘excellent
supper with boiled rice.’

Audubon, observing the Seaside Sparrow,
shoots several other birds. ‘for practice,’
but the dish they make was not eaten
because of its ‘fishy savour.’

A Mexican logger reports on
what may be one member of the last pair
of Imperial Ivorybill Woodpeckers:
‘un gran pedazo de carne,’ he said.

To know how it feels, imagine
you’re a flightless goose
watching the first canoes land
on Hawaii’s beaches.

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