MY GARDEN ACQUAINTANCE. 23 



time in a single tree, the stones pattering down like the 

 sparse hail that preludes a storm), and that he gnaws off 

 the small end of pears to get at the seeds. He steals 

 the corn from under the noses of my poultry. But what 

 would you have 1 He will come down upon the limb of 

 the tree I am lying under till he is within a yard of me. 

 He and his mate will scurry up and down the great black- 

 walnut for my diversion, chattering like monkeys. Can 

 I sign his death-warrant who has tolerated me about his 

 grounds so long 1 Not I. Let them steal, and welcome. 

 I am sure I should, had I had the same bringing up and 

 the same temptation. As for the birds, I do not believe 

 there is one of them but does more good than harm j and 

 of how many featherless bipeds can this be said ] 



