BIRD STORIES 



too. He needed warmth enough and food enough and a 

 clean nest to Hve in; and he needed to be kept safe from 

 such prowhng animals as will eat young birds, and from 

 other enemies. All these things his father and mother 

 had looked out for. 



Now the little Corbie was kidnaped — taken away 

 from his home and the loving and patient care of his 

 parents. 



But you need not be sorry for Corbie — not very. 

 For the Brown-eyed Boy and the Blue-eyed Girl adopted 

 the little chap, and gave him food enough and w^armth 

 enough and a chance to keep his new nest clean; and 

 they did it all with love and patience, too. 



Corbie kept them busy, for they were quick to learn 

 that, when he opened his beak and said, ^'Kah," it was 

 meal-time, even if he had had luncheon only ten min- 

 utes before. His throat was very red and very hollow, 

 and seemed ready to swallow no end of fresh raw egg and 

 bits of raw beef and earthw^orms and bread soaked in 

 milk. Not that he had to have much at a time, but he 

 needed so very many meals a day. It was fun to feed 

 the little fellow, because he grew so fast and because he 

 was so comical when he called, ^^Kah." 



It was not long before his body looked as if he had a 

 crop of paint-brushes growing all over it; for a feather, 

 when it first comes, is protected by a little case, and the 



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