BIRDS AT A SUMMER RESORT. ^Y 



crow blackbirds. They were constantly on 

 the alert for pieces of bread and cake flung on 

 the ground by the campers or the picnickers 

 who came now and then to this resort on 

 pleasure bent. Sometimes a company of these 

 sable epicures would alight on the ground and 

 proceed to dispose of a large piece of bread. 

 Then there would be a wrangle in the black- 

 bird household. Usually one of them seemed 

 to be " boss." He would take his stand near 

 the disputed prize, peck chunks from it, and 

 swallow them greedily, dashing at intervals at 

 one of his companions who ventured too close. 

 Sometimes another grackle would come swoop- 

 ing down through the trees and make a de- 

 termined spring at the arrogant feaster. Then 

 would follow a scrimmage, the tw^o birds dash- 

 ing together and flying up into the air, claw- 

 ing and pecking, until one or the other would 

 beat a prudent retreat. 



Once a blue jay c^ame near, and I won- 

 dered if he would prove himself a match for 

 the ebon revelers, but he was driven away 

 every time he became too bold. The grackles 

 are interesting birds. Have you ever noticed 

 how stately their bearing is as they strut about 

 on the ground, holding their heads erect, as 

 much as to say, " Don't you think us fit to be 



