Blue Thrushes 55 



Barely had the last inch of their skirts disappeared 

 round the corner of the house, before that wise bird 

 was at my feet, and as I walked round to the front 

 door, he flitted after me, and hopped into his cage 

 when I held it to him, turning fiercely round to peck 

 my fingers as I shut his door. 



Poor " Pretty Boy " ! It is sad to think that he is 

 growing old ; and that at the age of nine years and a 

 half he has, I fear, not many more left him in which to 

 enjoy his happy life, a life which in its own brightness 

 has brightened many an hour for those who know him, 

 his song serving to bring back happy days spent in 

 homes of bygone days, where my passera was always a 

 special household god. 



