14 THE YOUNG MOCKER. 



mocking-birds. These parents are wiser than 

 the crow blackbirds, for not a sound betrays 

 the accident in the family, unless, indeed, the 

 little one is disturbed, when they make noise 

 enough. They keep out of sight, no doubt 

 closely watching the straggler until he gets 

 away from people, for although he has proved 

 that he cannot fly, the young mocker is by no 

 means discouraged ; he trusts to his legs, and 

 usually at once starts off on a run " anywhere, 

 anywhere, out (in) the world." When far 

 enough away for them to feel safe in doing so, 

 the parents come down and feed and comfort 

 the wanderer, and it is a day or two before his 

 wings are of much use to him. 



The most imperious young bird I know is the 

 robin. He is perfectly sure he has a right to 

 attention, and he intends to have it. If he is 

 neglected too long and gets hungry, he calls 

 loudly and impatiently, jerking himself up with 

 a ludicrous air of stamping his feet. Even 

 when he does condescend to go to the lawn 

 with mamma, it is not to seek his food — far 

 from it! It is to follow her around, and call 

 every moment or two for something to eat. 

 The idea that his individual exertions have any- 

 thing to do with the food supply seems never 

 to occur to him. He expects the fat morsels to 

 fall into his mouth as they always have, and 



