The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-07-13
BIRDS WITH GOLD
EYES
EDITH BRANDS

Every summer DAY BUDDY ChannlnS
and his mother spent some time watch
ing the birdbath in the back yard.
Mother looked out of the high window
over the sink where she washed dishes
and prepared vegetables for lunch.
Buddy watched from the French door
in the dining room.
On a July morning Buddy said,
Mother, see bird with gold eyes,"
"What color are it's feathers ?"
"All shiny black-green on his
head"
"Then," said Mother, "he's Father
Blackbird"
"May feed him."
"Here are some scraps Of bread. Put
them on the edge of the bath"
Buddy placed the bread on the edge
of the bath, while Father Blackbird
retired to the clothesline and chucked
softly at him. After the boy went
back to the dining room the bird flew
to the bread.
"Mother, he's picked up a big piece
Now he has dipped it in the water
Now he has turned it over and dipped
the other end. Why did he do that
Mother?"
"Watch and see what he does next
Maybe you can guess"
A moment later Buddy exclaimed
"He flew away with the bread in his
beak."
"Why did he take it away?"
81 think he has baby birds in nest
He's taking food to them"
"The next time he comes back" said
Mrs. Charming, "Well watch where
he goes"
Piece by piece, Father Blackbirc
carried away the bread scraps. Mother
and Buddy followed along as he flew
until they located the nest in a tai
tree in Mrs. Mays yard. They coulc
hear young birds chattering, out OF
sight among the leaves.
Every day for week Buddy put
out bread to see what would happen
Father Blackbird came regularly, dip
ped the bread in the water and flew
away with it,
Buddy kept watching for Mother
Blackbird. His mother explained
"Maybe the father and mother take
turns finding food and the mother has
located another yard where little bo!
puts out bread scraps"
One evening at sundown Buddy ant
his mother sat on cushions by the
French door watching the birds get
their baths. Robins first-a DOZEN
then small sparrows came and spat
tered the shining drops Of water. Ther
a lone baby thrush, his spotted vest
very clean and white, his spots very
dark and beautiful, came alone ano
splashed long time. He was not
afraid of Buddy who went out to tall
to him.
When he was gone, Mrs. Charming
filled the birdbath with fresh water fol
early comers in the morning. Nov
they had a surprise. A loud cluckinl
came from Mrs. Mays yard. Budd.
said, "Oh, oh, here comes Father
Blackbirdv'
He came proudly conducting tht
parade of his family. He flew bacl
and forth, dropping down to encourage
q DclDy Dliu CIlcC SOulO lily O1lly d lev
feet at a time. He went forward tt
show the way; then he flew back t,
: chatter and cluck at Mother Black
bird who brought up the rear. She zig
Jagged behind the baby birds scoldin1
any that Jagged.
Father Blackbird guided his babie!
to the bath. All six of the family
the father, the mother and the foul
little ones-sat on the edge and dipped
their beaks into the cool fresh water
He showed the babies how to dip ant
battle and how to preen their feathers
Their gold eyes glittered; they chat
tered and chucked. Buddy thought they
had wonderful time.
When the bath was over, Father
Blackbird marshalled his family to low
barberry bushes in Buddy's back yard
and there that night they slept. SO fal
as Buddy and Mother knew they never
went back to the nest. The next morn
ing, after another bath, they flew
2WaV