210 KNOWING BIRDS THROUGH STORIES 



When the nest was completed, Jim chose the top of the 

 tall quaking aspen tree hard by for his watch-tower. There 

 he spent hours scanning the surrounding country and not 

 a twig could snap or an unusual move be made that his 

 quick ear or eye did not catch it. He paid no attention 

 to us children, but let any stranger come near and he im- 

 mediately uttered a sharp "Caw, caw/' and his dusky mate 

 would quietly slip off the nest, and keeping herself well 

 hidden among the branches, noiselessly fly out through the 

 willows near by and would not appear silhouetted against 

 the sky until she was at least one hundred yards from the 

 precious nest. When Jim was sure his mate was well out 

 of harm's way he also took flight but in the opposite direc- 

 tion. 



In due time there were young birds in this nest. We 

 knew this far we could see the parents carrying food and 

 soon could hear cries every time the parent birds came 

 near. The mother now spent most of her time flying over 

 the meadows and fields in search of grasshoppers and other 

 food. Jim, being more cunning, divided his time between 

 waiting for a chance to slip into the hen house and steal 

 an egg and watching for a little duck or chicken to wander 

 far enough from the yard for him to catch it without at- 

 tracting the attention of Jerry the kingbird. Mother 

 complained of the loss of her eggs and poultry, and father 

 threatened from time to time to shoot Jim, but I was in- 

 sistent that I wanted a pet crow, and this plea, added to 

 the law that nothing should be killed within this grove, 

 caused my indulgent parents to put up with the pilfering 

 until the young birds were old enough to be taken away. 



Then it was time to get our pets. Brother John pro- 

 prosed that we slip down to the nest just at dark, shoot 



