, in the following order--

Fourth round.--Prefix: Four plump partridges.
Fifth round.-- " Five pouting pigeons.
Sixth round.-- " Six long-legged cranes.
Seventh round.-- " Seven green parrots.
Eighth round.-- " Eight screeching owls.
Ninth round.-- " Nine ugly turkey-buzzards.
Tenth round.-- " Ten bald eagles.

The sentence has now reached a very difficult length:--"Ten bald
eagles, nine ugly turkey-buzzards, eight screeching owls, seven green
parrots, six long-legged cranes, five pouting pigeons, four plump
partridges, three squawking wild geese, two ducks and a good fat hen."
Any one making a mistake may be made to pay a forfeit.

John Ball

The same game may be played also with "The House that Jack Built,"
and there are other stories of a similar kind. Among these the most
amusing for a large party would perhaps be the old rhyme of "John
Ball."

First round.-- John Ball shot them all.
Second round.-- John Block made the stock,
But John Ball shot them all.
Third round.-- John Brammer made the rammer,
John Block made the stock,
But John Ball shot them all.
Fourth round.-- John Wyming made the priming,
John Brammer made the rammer,
John Block made the stock,
But John Ball shot them all.
Fifth round.-- John Scott made the shot....
Sixth round.-- John Crowder made the powder....
Seventh round.-- John Puzzle made the muzzle....
Eighth round.-- John Farrell made the barrel....
Ninth round.-- John Clint made the flint....
Tenth round.-- John Patch made the match....

In the tenth round, then, each player has to say--

John Patch made the match,
John Clint made the flint,
John Farrell made the barrel,
John Puzzle made the muzzle,
John Crowder made the powder,
John Scott made the shot,
John Wyming made the priming,
John Brammer made the rammer,
John Block made the stock,
But John Ball shot them all.

Chitterbob

There is also the old rhyme of "Chitterbob," but it is usual in
repeating this to say it all at once, in one round, and not prolong
the task. This is the rhyme:--

There was a man and his name was Cob
He had a wife and her name was Mob,
He had a dog and his name was Bob,
She had a cat and her name was Chitterbob.
"Bob,"