baby blackbirds

 Yesterday, Mr and Mrs Blackbird brought their young in the garden. I spent several minutes watching Mr Blackbird trying to educate one of his children. It went roughly like this:

 

Mr Blackbird hops onto a flagstone and demonstrates how to bash a slug. Youngster watches with mild interest.

 

Mr Blackbird hops onto a new flagstone. "Look here, son, this is how you do it. You take the slug in your beak; beat it backwards and forwards like this; and then it's ready for you to swallow it."

 

"Don't know about that, dad. It all looks a bit complicated to me."

 

Not to be defeated, Mr Blackbird hops on to yet another flagstone. "It really is quite easy, son. Look, I'll demonstrate again. You take the slug in your beak, and you beat it backwards and forwards against the flagstone."

 

Youngster opens beak pointedly. "Look, dad, wouldn't it be much simpler if you just fed me the slug."

 

Blackbird hops onto the lawn, ready for yet another lesson.

 

Youngster follows, still looking hopeful.

 

Dad gives up, and feeds him the slug.