THE BLACKBIRD n 



tered the old man, and "poft"! " he fired and killed his bird. 

 When he put the cock into his pocket, the keeper's hand 

 went with it, and drew forth six blackbirds for the old 

 man's pie. The old fellow had found the proper use of the 

 blackbird. 



Nearly every winter evening I hear his vulgar call, as he 

 flies at closing-in time to roost in the evergreens, leaving 

 me longing to go south, far away from dreary mists and 

 melancholy landscapes. 



blackbird's nest in a cliff (Yorkshire). 



