132 OUT WITH THE BIRDS 



neighbors hated them; and probably the stigma 

 attached to them as egg-eaters is well deserved. 



Even the tiny warbling vireos were noted one 

 day, holding a black fellow at bay, and darting 

 and striking wickedly at the crown of his head, 

 and almost daily, one or other of the robins 

 fought a round or two with these dusky foes. 

 But there was a ludicrous side to these latter 

 bickerings. It was observed that if the en- 

 counter took place near the robin's nest, the 

 grackle turned tail, whereas if the meeting took 

 place in the vicinity of the grackle's nest, the 

 robin was routed ignominiously. They never 

 fought it out, doubtless for the reason that a 

 victory for either would have been too costly. 



A pair of these big crow blackbeards afforded 

 other entertainment. On the evening of the 

 third, while supper was cooking on the little fire, 

 they hung about close and watched and called 

 in an anxious, interested way, and still remained 

 around while the meal was being disposed of. 

 When bits of food were tossed to them, they ac- 

 cepted the donation, but with a rather preoccu- 

 pied air; and it was plain that there was some- 

 thing interesting them more than the mere sight 

 of much good living. Then it seemed that they; 



