Little Trotty Wagtail
Wagtails are birds found in Africa Europe and Asia. They eat insects on the ground and are known for their constantly wagging tails.
Little Trotty Wagtail
Poem
Little trotty wagtail he went in the rain,
And tittering, tottering sideways he ne'er got straight again,
He stooped to get a worm, and looked up to get a fly,
And then he flew away ere his feathers they were dry.
Little trotty wagtail, he waddled in the mud,
And left his little footmarks, trample where he would.
He waddled in the water-pudge, and waggle went his tail,
And chirrupt up his wings to dry upon the garden rail.
Little trotty wagtail, you nimble all about,
And in the dimpling water-pudge you waddle in and out;
Your home is nigh at hand, and in the warm pig-stye,
So, little Master Wagtail, I'll bid you a good-bye.
Notes
Written by John Clare.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Image from "Birds of Asia by John Gould (1861-6).
