had been so troublesome 
in the rice-field country 
as they were that spring 
after Jim Haskel’sfuneral. 
“It’s a judgment on de 
lan’,” declared Uncle 
Pete, “‘’cause peopledon’t 
live right.” And there 
were many who agreed 
with him. 
When a flock settled 
in a field, one or two N 
oldfellowswouldremain — 
perched in the tops of 
trees where they could see 
for a long distance. They 
never fed without their sentinels. 
If one of them caught sight of 
others relied on scarecrows 
a man his cawing instantly sent the whole 
flock into the air. 
149 
