12 Our Bird Friends. 



and chimney-pot, and talk wisely to each other about 

 cats, traps, nets, and guns, until l;»y-and-by along 

 comes an old mother Thrush, hopping sedately for a 

 few yards, and then stopping to listen for several 

 seconds, with her head cocked on one side in the most 



SONG THRUSH OX ULMMOCK Or SNOW. 



comical way. The Sparrows descend upon seeing their 

 bigger and simpler-minded neighbour approach the 

 food, and, following close behind, wait until she has 

 detached a piece and turned away to enjoy it in some 

 quiet corner, when the artful thieves rush in, seize it, 

 and dash a way in a noisv, laucdiino^ mob, leavinsf the 

 rightful owner of the tit-bit in a state of blank 

 surprise. 



Robin Redbreasts are, of course, very pretty, con- 

 fiding little birds, but it is a great pity they are so 



