Now the autumn maize is growing, br Now the corn-cob fills, br Where the Little River flowing br Winds among the hills. br Over mountain peaks outlying br Clear against the blue br Comes a scout in silence flying, br One white cockatoo. br Back he goes to where the meeting br Waits among the trees. br Says, "The corn is fit for eating; br Hurry, if you please." br Skirmishers, their line extendiing, br Shout the joyful news; br Down they drop like snow descending, br Clouds of cockatoos. br br At their husking competition br Hear them screech and yell. br On a gum tree's high position br Sits a sentinel. br Soon the boss goes boundary riding; br But the wise old bird, br Mute among the branches hiding, br Never says a word. br br Then you hear the strident squalling: br "Here's the boss's son, br Through the garden bushes crawling, br Crawling with a gun. br May the shiny cactus bristles br Fill his soul with woe; br May his knees get full of thistles. br Brothers, let us go." br br Old Black Harry sees them going, br Sketches Nature's plan: br "That one cocky too much knowing, br All same Chinaman. br One eye shut and one eye winkin' -- br Never shut the two; br Chinaman go dead, me thinkin', br Jump up cockatoo.