FABLES. 



263 



THE FOWLER AND THE BLACKBIRD. 



A Eowler was busy placing his nets, and putting 

 his tackle in order, by the side of a coppice, when 

 a Blackbird, who was perched on an adjacent tree, 

 eyed him with great attention ; but being at a loss 

 to know the use of all this apparatus and prepara- 

 tion, had the curiosity to ask him what he was 

 doing. I am, says the Fowler, building a fine city 

 for you birds to live in, and providing it with meat 

 and all manner of conveniences for you. Having 

 said this, he departed and hid himself, and the 

 Blackbird, believing his words, came into the nets 

 and was taken; but when the man ran up to seize 

 his captive, the Bird thus addressed him: If this be 

 your faith, and these the cities you build, it will be 

 a great pity if you should ever again persuade any 

 poor simple bird to try to inhabit them. 



