Then everybody's glad.

Others complaining of Winter, who must have leave of absence, and the
wrongs it has wrought are poured out to Summer. The little birds are
very human; the owlet complains:

Poor little owlet me!
I have to fly all alone through the wood to-night;
The branch I want to perch on is broken,
The leaves are all faded,
My heart is full of grief.

The cuckoo is either praised for bringing good news, or made fun of
as the 'Gutzgauch.'

A cuckoo will fly to his heart's treasure, etc.

The fable songs[8] of animal weddings are full of humour. The fox
makes arrangements for his wedding: 'Up with you now, little birds! I
am going to take a bride. The starling shall saddle the horses, for
he has a grey mantle; the beaver with the cap of marten fur must be
driver, the hare with his light foot shall be outrider; the
nightingale with his clear voice shall sing the songs, the magpie
with his steady hop must lead the dances,' etc.

The nightingale, with her rich tones, is beloved and honoured before
all the winged things; she is called 'the very dear nightingale,' and
addressed as a lady.

'Thou art a little woodbird, and flyest in and out the green wood;