150 IN THE MIDDLE COUNTRY. 



time. They flew three feet high, at least, all 

 their feathers on end, and looking more like 

 shapeless masses of blue feathers than like 

 birds. They did not pause or rest till one 

 seemed to get the other down. I could not see 

 from my window well enough to be positive, 

 but both were in the grass together, and only 

 one in sight, who stood perfectly quiet. He 

 appeared to be holding the other down, for occa- 

 sionally there would be a stir below, and re- 

 newed vigilance on the part of the one I could 

 see. Several minutes passed. I became very 

 uneasy. Was he killing him? I could stand 

 it no longer, so I ran down. But my coming 

 was a diversion, and both flew. When I reached 

 the place, one had disappeared, and the other 

 was hopping around the tree in great excite- 

 ment, holding in his beak a fluffy white feather 

 about the size of a jay's breast feather. I did 

 not see the act, and I cannot absolutely declare 

 it, but I have no doubt that he pulled that 

 feather from the breast of his foe as he held 

 him down ; how many more with it I could not 

 tell, for I did not think of looking until it was 

 too late. 



Again one day, somewhat later, when blue jay 

 and catbird babies were rather numerous, I saw 

 a blue jay dive into a lilac bush much frequented 

 by catbirds, young and old together. Instantly 



