98 IN THE MIDDLE COUNTRY. 



same expletive, and if he was about the same 

 size he " talked back." The number and vari- 

 ety of utterances at their command was aston- 

 ishing ; I was always being surprised with a new 

 one. Now a blackbird would fly across the 

 lawn, making a noise exactly like a boy's tin 

 trumpet, and repeating it as long as he was 

 within hearing, regarding it, seemingly, as an 

 exceptionally great feat. Again one would seize 

 a kernel of corn, burst out with a convulsive 

 cry, as if he were choking to death, and fly off 

 with his prize, in imminent danger of his life, 

 as I could not but feel. 



The second morning a youngster came with 

 his papa to the feast, and he was droller, if 

 possible, than his elders. He followed his par- 

 ent around, with head lowered and mouth wide 

 open, fairly bawling in a loud yet husky tone. 



The young blackbird does not appear in the 

 glossy suit of his parents. His coat is rusty in 

 hue, and his eye is dark, as is proper in youth. 

 He is not at all backward in speaking his mind, 

 and his sole desire at this period of his life 

 being food, he demands it with an energy and 

 persistence that usually insures success. 



In making close acquaintance with them, one 

 cannot help longing to prescribe to the whole 

 blackbird family something to clear their bron- 

 chial tubes; every tone is husky, and the stu- 



