The reign of quantity and the signs of the times

A channeled message from a Blackbird concerning the recent vote to select a new national bird of Schweden. In the event, Lord Blackbird didn´t need to worry. since he won the vote easily. 

I'm the national bird of Sweden by birth right, and no amount of treacherous “democratic” haggling by the local bird-watchers' association can change that. Are they annoyed that I don't show up every time they call me? Why should I? Being the national bird of an ancient and illustrious kingdom such as Sweden should surely entail some privileges! The new poll, obviously rigged with the nefarious intention to unseat me, is just as treasonous as the “constitution of 1809” or similar acts of lèse-majesté!!! If the ungrateful bird-watchers select the bullfinch, the wagtail or – heaven forfend – the magpie (magpie?!) as Our replacement, We shall leave this nation at once and take up residence in Norway, where Our cadet branch (a.k.a. Ring Ouzel) already dwells since the time of St Olaf of blessed memory.

Yeah, really.