196 THE BLACKBIRD 



dozen thrushes. The wag, merrily inclined, was perched 

 on top of" one of the vine-poles giving a performance for 

 the benefit of his merry followers. He twinkled his eyes, 

 fluttered his wings, agitated his tail, put his head between 

 his feet, with a grotesque mien, which greatly amused his 

 lady spectators, very attentive to all that was going on. 



And besides, autumn is a season of high glee and 

 merry-making for the blackbird. The orchards are full of 

 stone fruit, wild berries are abundant in the hedges, the 

 grape-vines are loaded with grapes. Therefore, it cares 

 no longer for worms or insects; it stuffs itself with the 

 pulp of sweet-scented, juicy fruit. It has no other care 

 but tliat of satisfying its greediness : love is no longer 

 one of its torments, and it has become silent. It only 

 utters a sort of ill-humoured sound, when disturbed 

 whilst taking its dinner. 



But the finest of holidays w^ill come to an end. One by 

 one, the fruit-trees lose their leaves and their fruit; the 

 grapes are gathered. There is nothing more to steal on 

 bush or hedge but a few berries on the sloe tree and in the 

 thickets, already covered with hoar frost. Now the long 

 days of feasting are over; the blackbird must be satisfied 

 with less abundant fare. At the end of November, the last 

 wild berries have disappeared with the frost... Good bye, 

 juicy fruit. 



The blackbird now retreats towards the big clumps of 

 trees and establishes itself in its winter quarters. There, 



