BIRD ABCs: Peg Malobicky of Kane has asked for readers’ help in
providing information about a poem she recently received from her
mother.
“To my surprise, it has Bradford, Pa., on it. I am orginally
from Aliquippa, Pa., and now live in Kane and I thought this was
kind of neat that I live close to this town that is on my
great-great-grandfather’s paper,” she writes.
It’s called, “Alphabetical Birds.”
The notes say, “These birds were written by John A. Alexander
Bradford in the spring of the year 1845. They were brought here by
him from Gary, Ind. The alphabetical birds were brought to
Bradford, Pa., in 1845. These birds were rewritten by his
great-grandson Garrett Holbart Bradford, 221 Highland Ave.,
Aliquippa, Pa., 15001.”
Our space limitations will only allow us to print a portion of
the poem but we think readers will get the gist:
“A, is for the Arter of the Arctic Sea, he lives on the ice
where the wind blows free
B, is for the Bluebird early in the spring, his songs are
frequently heard
C, is for the Condor, he lives on lizards, fishes and frogs
D, is a Duck to shew at a flock considered fine sport
E, is for the Eagle so bold and so free, upon our money he buys
land and sea
F, is a Fishhawk, watch for him now as he sits by the pond
G, is a Goose, Goose feathers we take and sacks our beds to
make
H, is a Hummingbird, sporting mid flowers, enjoying summer
hours
I, is an Ibis, he lives on lizards and frogs, too
J, is for the Jaybird, blue and white coat, crest on his head
and ring around his throat
K, is for the Kingbird, pugnacious and bold, awful in fight,
terrible in scold
L, is a Lark, a social bird who with leaves cover the poor baby
in the woods
M, is a Magpie, he lives in the west, steals coal and eats
corn
N, is a Nighthorne, he darts through the air, feeds upon
insects, his favorite fare
O, is the Owl who sleeps all day and night to seek for his
prey
P, is the Pigeon so rapidly in flight, before you can shoot him
he’s gone out of sight
Q, is the Quail who sits on a tree, he whistles Bob White with
lively agree… “
