Y2 NEWS FROM THE BIRDS. 



Captain Jay, without a quiver of fear or a 

 moment's faltering, dashed against her and 

 knocked her off her perch. She scrambled to 

 another branch, when he swung around and 

 struck her again. The third time he knocked 

 her from her perch she took to wing and flew 

 away, and then there were peace and quiet in 

 the place. I can not help thinking of the brave, 

 masterly conduct of the Jay, and his coming 

 upon the scene of contest at the opportune mo- 

 ment reminds one of Sheridan's famous ride 

 and other timely deeds of bravery. 



On going back to the wood pile where the 

 baby owl had been placed, I found that he had 

 disappeared ; but presently I caught sight of 

 him hulking along on the ground among the 

 bushes not far away. He allowed me to stroke 

 his back without protest, but when I playfully 

 shook him a little roughly, he snapped his 

 beak and growled. I stepped away a rod or 

 more and watched him. He glared in my 

 direction and seemed to hear the least sound I 

 made, swaying to and fro and uttering a com- 

 plaining mew. Again I approached him, when 

 he fluffed up his feathers, making himself 

 almost double his natural size, spread out his 

 wings, swayed his head and body from side to 

 side, and snapped and scolded. Yet, when I 



