Having been listening to the soundtrack for Hamilton this past week, I got a brainstorm for alternative lyrics to "The Ten Duel Commandments." If you don't mind wading through a thicket of birding in-jokes!
(Here's the original!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7iHmuco_zo
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine!
It's the Ten Bird Commandments!
Number One:
The challenge – identifications.
You'll need your sharpest eyes, plus a bunch of patience.
Number Two:
In your pack, have a Sibley (the Second
Edition) for when field marks are reckoned.
Number Three:
Hit the hotspot when the rain clears.
Binoculars are nice
If a Code 5 rarity appears.
Also train your ears, catch the flight calls fast.
Don't Just Rely On Expensive Glass!
Number Four:
If you can't clinch ID, that's all right -
Time to post to OBOL, get some twitchers on site.
Everybody scans to the best of their ability;
Some birdseed as a gift is a marker of civility.
Five:
Start before the sun is in the sky.
Chorus song is high, spare an eye to spy!
Number Six:
Leave a note on the eBird site.
Make your case airtight.
Pray reviewers will confirm it's right.
Seven:
Confess you did
Not get a photo but
It might still be amid
That other flock of butterbutts.
Number Eight:
Last chance to equivocate!
Send Dave Irons in, maybe he can set the record straight.
--On the third branch?
--That's the bird. --Sure,
But you can't see projection from that perch. --Heard
It call, somewhere over in that birch. --Bird's
Dropped down. --If we had another searcher...
--Hang on! That back is too gray. You see, an Acadian
won't fit the facts.
--Okay... It's “Empidonax”.
Number Nine:
Next migration time, it might transpire.
Finally start a big year, aim much higher.
Count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Sand Martins on the wire!
