The Bold Feathered Minstrels Poem by Francis Duggan

In all sorts of weather at all times of year
The song of the magpies so pleasant to hear
The black and white birds with the beautiful song
Once seen and once heard one cannot get them wrong
Of all of the birds of Australia few are as well known
The bold feathered minstrels have a charm of their own
On their breeding season they sing in the night
How lovely to hear them pipe in the moonlight
Their borders the males do fearlessly defend
In their breeding season any males of their own kind to them not a friend
The silver billed birds with the beautiful voice
I've seen them kill small birds and i've seen them kill mice
To see them fight amongst each other is a common thing
But they have a beautiful song for to sing.