102 IN THE MIDDLE COUNTEY. 



infants turning as he moved, and ever present- 

 ing open beaks to him. It was one of the 

 funniest exhibitions I ever saw. After going 

 around half a dozen times, the baffled blackbird 

 flew away without a taste. 



When the two had driven every one else off 

 the ground by their importunities, one of them 

 plucked up spirit to try managing the corn for 

 himself. Like a little man he stopped bawling, 

 and began exercising his strength on the sweet 

 grain. Upon this his neighbor, instead of fol- 

 lowing his example, began to beg of him ! flut- 

 tering his wings, putting up his beak, and almost 

 pulling the corn out of the mouth of the poor 

 little fellow struggling with his first kernel ! 



Sometimes a young one drove his parent all 

 over a tree with his supplications. Higher and 

 higher would go the persecuted, with his tor- 

 mentor scrambling, and half flying after, till 

 the elder absolutely flew away, much put out. 



Long before this time the corn had been used 

 up. But I could not bear to lose my morning 

 entertainment, for all these things took place 

 between four and six A. M. so I made a trip 

 to the village, and bought a bag of the much de- 

 sired dainty, some handf uls of which I scattered 

 every night after birds were abed, ready for the 

 sunrise show. Blackbirds were not the only 

 guests at the feast; there were the doves, 



