290 BIRDS IN TOWN AND VILLAGE 



finding was an art they had not acquired, or were 

 too indolent or proud to practise; but they were 

 not too proud to beg or steal ; they simply watched 

 the other birds in the hope of being able to snatch 

 up a big unearthed grub and run away with it. 

 As a rule after a minute or two they would get 

 tired of waiting and rush off with a lively shout. 

 Back they would go to the chimney-pots and to 

 their flying up and down, suspending their flight 

 over this or that yard or garden, and by and by 

 one would succeed in picking up something big, 

 and at once all the other daws in sight would give 

 chase to take It from him; for these village daws 

 are not only parasites and cadgers, but worse — 

 they are thieves without honour among them- 

 selves. 



In spite of all the time and energy wasted in 

 their perpetual races and chases going on all over 

 the village, every bird exerting himself to the 

 utmost to rob all he can from his pals, they get 

 enough to eat; for when the day Is over and 

 other daws from other villages drop In to visit 

 them, all unite in a big crowd and wheel about, 

 making the place ring with their merry yelpmg 

 cries, before sailing away to the wood. One 



