84 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



clockwork. In fact, a hundred things might be 

 tried until something valuable was found, and 

 when it lost its value, for the birds would in time 

 discover the deception, some new plan adopted. 



To this dissertation on what might be done, he 

 answered that if any one could find out or invent 

 any new effective means to keep the birds from 

 the fruit, the fruit-growers would be very thank- 

 ful for it; but that no such invention could be 

 looked for from those who are engaged on the 

 soil; that it must come from those who do not 

 dig and sweat, but sit still and work with their 

 brains at new ideas. 



This ended our conversation, and I left him 

 more than satisfied at the information he had 

 given me, and with a higher opinion than ever 

 of his geniality and good practical sense. 



It was a relief when the noisy, bird-scaring 

 business was done with, and the last market 

 baskets of ripe cherries were carried away to the 

 station. Very splendid they looked in such large 

 masses of crimson, as the baskets were brought 

 out and set down in the grassy road; but I could 

 not help thinking a little sadly that the thrushes 

 and blackbirds which had been surreptitiously 



