66 
THE BROWN THRUSHES: 
like to take so great a responsibility as you 
require of us. My wife, even, in the excel- 
lence of her heart, wishes the culprit to go 
free, while I, although convinced of the neces- 
sity of an example, hardly like to name his 
punishment. I would suggest, however, if 
some sentence be pronounced against him, 
that he be punished by a complete banishment 
from the society of all birds ; that none but 
his own kind ever hereafter associate with 
him. It seems to me that such would be the 
most proper punishment for one who has 
proved himself unfit to mingle with society, 
and a recreant to all the best principles that 
we are taught to admire and respect.’’ 
That is the very punishment that I should 
have selected,” said the Owl, and we will 
now and henceforth pronounce the sentence 
of proscription against Blue Jay. Let no birds 
but his own family associate with him, and if 
he thrust himself upon the society of any 
others, let them drive him off with contumely 
and disgrace.” 
“ Away with him ! ” shouted the crowd, and 
