Four Feet, Two Feet, and No Feet

Author's Note
'TO THE CHILD READER.'
Curious beasts, with paws and claws,
Curious birds, with plume and feather,
Strangest freaks of Nature's laws,
Here for you are brought together.
Owls and monkeys, pigs and bears;
Humming-birds and toads and rabbits;
Hunt them to their nests and lairs;
Study all their ways and habits.
Learn how the mosquitoes talk;
"Why the wasp and hornet sting you;
Learn the meaning of the songs
Linnet and canary sing you;
How the beaver builds his clam;
How the penguin feeds her baby;
Of the lobster and the clam;
What their moods and manners may be.
All these things, when you shall know,
Write a book yourself, my dearie
For, so learned you will grow,
All the world will flock to hear ye.