72 By Leafy Ways. 



hearted misselthrush, who never hesitates to do battle 

 for his own, and who would show a bold front even to 

 the raven. 



The voice of the crow harmonises with his character. 

 A harsh and sullen croak it is, uttered now and 

 then as he wings his solitary way homeward from 

 some deed of mischief in poultry-yard or rabbit- 

 warren. 



The true lover of nature would plead even for the 

 crow, but the tenants of the rookery please him more, 

 and dear to his heart are its varied scenes and sounds. 

 He loves to hear the clamour of the sable builders in 

 the early days of spring ; to listen for the first queru- 

 lous cries of the young birds in their cradles in the 

 tree-tops ; to watch at dawn the sallying forth of the 

 legions far out over the country ; to hear their voices 

 in the sharp air of morning from the fresh brown 

 earth of the fallow on the hill ; to watch their dark 

 figures on the meadow where the withering turf betrays 

 the presence of unseen enemies beneath. 



The farmer watches them well pleased. Even if 

 they have a way of paying themselves, and are not 

 always so particular as they might be to a grain or so, 

 they are his staunch retainers, and do him yeoman's 

 service. 



Then, when the sun is down on the horizon, they 

 leave the meadow and go back to the elm trees under 

 the hill. How clearly, as they wing their way far up 

 on the brightening sky, their voices float downward 



