206 
THE TOWHEE BUNTINGS 
talked about. Some of the other birds, more 
out of curiosity to hear what Bob had to say 
than from any feeling they had for him, 
remained on their perches while he continued 
his speech. 
Many years ago,^’ said Bob, Mother 
Nature, having made all the respectable species 
of birds, had a few stray materials, a little of 
this (brains), considerable of that (tail), and 
a good share of the other (mouth), left, and, 
after much deliberation, concluded to put 
these odds and ends together, and make a pair 
of things that would have an approach to a 
resemblance to birds. The creatures were 
made in a form familiar to us ; and, that there 
may be no mistake, I will describe them 
exactly.” 
Here he gave a minute description of the 
Towhees, bringing out all their peculiarities 
in the most ludicrous manner, and making 
them appear, altogether, most ridiculous. His 
listeners laughed at his description, for ridi- 
cule is almost always amusing, although they 
felt for the Towhees, and hoped they would 
t 
