THE SPARROW AND ROBIN. , 131

there are those around who understand mudle
so much better ?”

“Why, dear sparrow,” said the robin,
“T only sing simple songs, such as natulfe
has taught me; and here is my pretty
at my side, and she says my song gives her
pleasure.”

“The more fool she,” said the sparrow,
smartly, “to be captivated with such hum-
drum stuff. If you want to hear music, you
must listen to the catbird,* who hasybeen to
foreign countries, and the macatys; that are
denned so fine. They have®introduced a
new style of music, and it, is all the fashion ;
and your lackadaisical songs are now out of
vogue, and none but the vulgar can bear
them.”

“Very well, if it be so,” said the robin .

quietly. “I know my songs are of a very
humble kind, but they are still pleasing to
me and mine; and I doubt not that | my sim-
ple melodies give more true pleasure than the
more fashionable airs of these foreign min-
strels. One thing proves it, and that is this:

* The catbird is a noisy American songster, much given
to imitating other birds,

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