AND THEIR NEIGHBORS. 
201 
finding fault with the nest, ridiculing its shape 
and the materials used in its construction. 
Blackbird, on leaving him, saw that his wife 
and he had lost his friendship, and that he felt 
towards them somewhat as he did towards the 
Towhees ; for he knew that when vanity meets 
with a rebuff, even if it is struck over the 
shoulders of a third party, it feels dislike for 
the instrument almost as much as for the per- 
son that strikes the blow. Suggesting this to 
his wife, who, although a little touched at 
Bob’s impoliteness, was not greatly offended 
at it, for she ascribed it to the unwelcome 
nature of the news she had carried him, he 
was silenced by a torrent of feminine argument 
and defence for her poor traduced friend. Bob. 
Like a prudent husband he did not answer 
her, but waited until she had finished, when, 
although he did not exactly appear to agree 
with her, he simply said, — 
At any rate, wife, we will not be the bear- 
ers of such news again to any bird ; for one is 
never thanked for them, as we have seen our- 
selves.” 
