54 tl^tnantu of tftt STrees 



call them, settle in the big elm and begin 

 talking over old times and their plans for 

 the coming spring. 



Then there will be a chatter and a 

 babel that will make the swallows seem 

 like very quiet birds. Each blackbird 

 will be croaking and squawking at the top 

 of his voice, all talking at once, and each 

 trying with might and main to make him- 

 self heard above the gossip of his fellows. 



If the morning sun plays full upon the 

 flock you will see some of the brightest 

 garments that have yet appeared in the new 

 spring styles, all iridescent and shining, and 

 reflecting the sunlight in its many rainbow 

 hues, bottle green and plum colour, light 

 blue, navy blue, and all the darker shades, 

 down to the shiniest black imaginable. 

 They are all proud of their brilliant 

 colours, and prink and smooth out their 

 feathers with great care. 



