134 GRAY LADY AND THE BIRDS 
but hint very strongly, if necessary, that he had better 
nest away from the temptation that garden and orchards 
offer in the shape of eggs and fresh meat.” 
As Gray Lady ended, a great commotion arose in the 
neighbourhood of the orchard. Jays screamed and Crows 
cawed, as if, Goldilocks said, they knew that they were 
being talked about, and didn’t like it. 
Gray Lady opened one of the windows and looked out. 
Below stood Jacob, waving his hat to attract attention, 
saying through his hands, “There are some Screech 
Owls on a branch of the old willow back of the orchard, 
and the other birds have found it out. The Crows are 
mixing in and there’s a great how-de-do. I thought maybe 
you would all like to see them, only I couldn’t go up 
for fear they might shift away.” 
Of course they wished to see, and it was quite remark- 
able how fifteen usually noisy children managed to tiptoe 
through the orchard and avoid sticks and dry leaves. 
THE WISE OLD CROW 
Not all the people know 
The wisdom of the Crow: 
As they see him come and go, 
With verdict brief, 
They say, ‘ You thief!” 
And wish him only woe. 
That he’s selfish we admit, 
But he has a lot of grit, 
And on favour not a bit 
Does he depend ; 
Without a friend, 
He must live by mother-wit. 
