To the Dodo:

A Bacchanalian Song, With Full Chorus:

The dodo once lived, and he does n't live now;
Yet, why should a cloud overshadow our brow?
The loss of that bird ne'er should trouble our brains,
For, though he is gone, still our claret remains.
Sing dodo–dodo–jolly dodo!
Hurrah! in his name let our cups overflow!

We know that he perished; yet why shed a tear?
This generous bowl all our bosoms can cheer.
The dodo is gone, and, no doubt, in his day
He delighted, as we do, to moisten his clay.
Sing dodo—dodo—jolly dodo!
Hurrah! in his name let our cups overflow!


-- From 'The Dodo,' The Living age, Volume 1, Issue 6, June 22, 1844

(Via American Memory)

* * *

The dodo has been in the news with the recent discovery of a treasure trove of the extinct bird's bones. Scientists hope the find will help them recreate the dodo's world.

* * *

From London's Natural History Museum: A terracotta dodo by Waterhouse * A video on the dodo's changing image

* * *

Pacifist dodo

The blurb accompanying this 1916 photo from the Chicago Daily News reads:

Image of Gene Morgan of the Chicago Daily News and several other men on a float featuring a dodo bird. Signs on the float read Dodo was the original pacifist.now extinct (illegible). Those who supported preparedness were in favor of building a strong military.

A flightless ancestor of today's Democrats?

* * *

Porky Pig captures the Last of the Dodos:

Porky Pig: Oh b-b-boy! I caught the l-last D-D-Do-Do!
The Do-Do: Yes, I'm really the last of the Do-Dos. Ain't I, fellas?
[hundreds of Do-Dos surround Porky]
Other Do-Dos: Yeah, man! Woooooooooo!

* * *

Thus inspired:

"Crazy Words, Crazy Tune,"

by Irving Aaronson & his Commanders