THE SAUCY CHAT. 41 



was a second time mocked. Then he lost his 

 temper, and began a serious reproof to the 

 levity of his neighbor, which ended in a good 

 round scolding, as the saucy chat continued to 

 repeat his taunting laugh. This went on till 

 the redbreast flew away in high dudgeon. 



Why our little brothers in feathers are so 

 much more boisterous than elsewhere, 



" Up in the parks and the mesas wide, 

 Under the blue of the bluest sky," 



has not, so far as I know, been discovered. 



Whether it be the result of habitual opposi- 

 tion to the strong winds which, during the sea- 

 son of song, sweep over the plains every day, or 

 whether the exhilaration of the mountain air be 

 the cause who can tell ? 



