ckossbill’s story. 
163 
looked at himself half ashamed ; for your 
young masculine always desires to appear 
well in the eyes of his fair one. 
Handsome ! yes, I think so,” replied Cross- 
bill, in a half-sneering tone. I doubt any 
of you would have thought them very hand- 
some, if you had seen their immense hooked 
beaks, and white malicious eyes, and heard 
them, as I did, swear the most fearful oaths.” 
Swear ? do you think we will credit such 
an abominable libel on our whole tribe as 
that ? Birds swear, indeed ! ” 
Such were the indignant exclamations that 
rang about the ears of Crossbill. His hearers 
certainly thought he was drawing the long 
bow, for all well-regulated birds take great 
pride in their abstinence from profanity. 
Please let me tell my story, and keep your 
comments to yourselves until I am done,” re- 
plied Crossbill quietly, for I have told you 
the truth. I did hear those gaudily plumaged 
wretches use the most profane oaths, and you 
cannot wonder at my horror. 
They seemed to have been all christened 
