OUR BIRDS IN WINTER. 
127 
some men love us, and they do ; why ! while 
I was imprisoned in my captor’s house, I 
heard stories told about us that were flatter- 
ing in the highest degree. One story that I 
heard — although about a bird with which we 
have no acquaintance — shows that we are not 
considered unworthy to be employed in teach- 
ing valuable lessons, either by men or spirits ; 
and I will tell this story to you now, but you 
must promise not to interrupt me while I am 
telling it, and I will explain all that you do 
not understand, when it is finished.” 
The other birds prepared themselves for 
the recital of the story, by each getting com- 
fortable perches near some friend or sweet; 
heart or mate. Woodcock led his friend, Mrs. 
Woodcock, to a comfortable seat in a little 
bunch of moss and grass, and took his place 
beside her; thus braving out the suspicions 
that he knew his neighbors had already begun 
to entertain, (grosbeak, when he saw every 
one quiet, began the story of — 
