  Characters Magpie Thrush Blackbird Wise Owl Starling Sparrow Turtledove Thrush. Oh, Mrs. Magpie, I wish you would teach us how you build your nest. Every one says your nest is made better than any other. Magpie. Is that true? Indeed! Come nearer then, and I will show you how I do it. [Birds draw near.] You see I take some mud and make a round cake with it. Thrush. Oh, that’s how it’s done! I can make one now. [Flies away.] Magpie. Oh! the thrush went too soon. It is not yet done. Now I lay some twigs in the mud this way and that way, this way and that way. Blackbird. I see! I see! [Flies away.] Magpie. What! Has the blackbird gone, too? Next another layer of mud—twigs and mud, twigs and mud. Wise Owl. Oh, that’s very easy! [Flies off.] Magpie. Does the wise owl think that’s all? Now more twigs round the outside. Up and down; in and out; round and round. Sparrow. The very thing. [Flies off.] Magpie. Oh! but the nest is not lined yet. I make it soft and warm inside with feathers. Starling. That suits me. [Flies off.] Magpie. Has the starling gone, too? It will take just one minute more. Turtledove. Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o. Magpie. One is enough. Turtledove. Take two, Tousey, take two-o-o. Magpie. One is enough, I tell you. Oh! are they all gone but you, silly turtledove? And I have just finished my nest. None of them will make a nest like mine. |
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