Show the mockingbird in california some of my moat most intimate acquaintances have been the mockingbirds mocking birds in the california groves it seems almost unnecessary to cage them they are so 80 happy among the ever blooming trees but cages hang in balconies at doors and windows all about the courts and under tinder the eaves and passing down the streets one hears at all hours gushes gashes of melody from the wo wonderful mi mimickers in their prisons it is a cheerful sound yet I 1 like better to listen to them as they flit nit at will ua where the red pomegranates flower where the wild figs rear their massive canopies cano pies where they may hide their young as they choose in shefra the fragrant orange trees tops one splendid fellow has his perch on a windmill fan opposite my door where all day long be pours out trills brills rapturous with glee some mornings be he is in such ecstasy that bo ho bubbles down bis his notes in snatches wasting no time iu ILI weaving them together whenever I 1 appear on the doorstep I 1 know he watches for my coming oming c for be he apparently hoards hoard his musical quiver full of gay dart keeping silence for intervals when I 1 air aw unseen letting them fly in an shower as if be lie would transport me when I 1 reappear he ile is the saucy tyrant who pecks at my hat my hair my gown when I 1 venture too near the rose vino vine on the lattice where bis his newly hatched babies arc are san diego cor christian union |