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the eggs and even eat the young of other 

 birds is hereby stoutly disputed as an in- 

 famous falsehood, that merely shows the 

 ignorance of the learned gentlemen. If 

 it is not too strong language, your secre- 

 tary hereby characterizes ornithologists 

 as red-nosed, goggle-eyed, old fools, who 

 couldn't fly if they had wings, and whose 

 eggs would not hatch even if they were 

 smart enough to lay them/' 



This sally so pleased the female grackles 

 that their piping and squawking drowned 

 the voice of the secretary, and it was 

 several seconds before the chairman could 

 restore order. 



" I appreciate your mirth, ladies,'' he 

 said, when he could make himself heard, 

 " but please be quiet." 



"Although hardly a part of my report," 

 continued the secretary, " I can inform 

 this assembly that our cousin redwing 



