198 
THE TOWHEE BUNTINGS 
Blackbird, convinced that Bob was undeserv- 
ing the trouble they had taken in coining to 
inform him of the Towhees’ remark, endeav- 
ored to induce his mate to return home, but 
she would not listen to him ; and, while they 
were in tlie midst of their discussion. Bob 
discovered their presence. He immediately 
joined them, and Blackbird, convinced that it 
was now useless to say any thing to his mate, 
held his peace, and let her tell her story. She 
began at once with — 
0 my poor friend Bobolink, we have come, 
full of sympatliy for you, to let you know how 
shamefully your character has been traduced 
— how wickedly you have been talked about 
by our neighbors, the Towhees.” 
The Towhees ? ’’ exclaimed Bob. “ Wliat, 
pray, can such birds as the Towhees ha.ve to 
say about my character, I should like to know ? 
The Towhees, a pair of poor old humdrum 
scrubs, without one spark of sentiment or am- 
bition ! And what did they say ? ” 
Oh, dear, I can’t remember half they said ; 
but you may be sure that it was every thing 
