204 
THE TOWHEE BUNTINGS 
were listening to a speech he was making, and 
occasionally interrupting him either by ap- 
plause or dissent, as his remarks agreed with 
or clashed against their opinions. 
As the Thrushes approached the party, they 
inferred, from the concluding words of Bob, 
that he had been applauding his own merits, 
and had been comparing them with some of 
his acquaintances in the south ; for he was 
saying, as they drew near, — 
Yes, my friends, the Cardinal Birds and 
Nonpareils both acknowledged, that, although 
their attire was possessed of gayer colors than 
mine, still.it did not exhibit the exquisite taste 
that is shown in mine. No, my friends, such 
beautifully blended colors, such complete har- 
mony, are rarely found in the dress of any 
bird ; and those southern aristocrats acknowl- 
edged it. But it is not of my dress that I 
wish to speak ; that is as it is given me ; but 
it is of my general characteristics that I wish 
to call your attentiom Who can say a word 
against them ? Who ? ’Mie repeated, looking 
about him disdainfully. 
