There was a little shed in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big one, white, with a barred tail.

I caught it, and prying its bill open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger could reach.

The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass along its gullet and down into its crop.

But the creature flapped and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the matter.

As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fluttered off among the others.
"'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem ?' says she.
"'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we call it.