128 Clear Skies and Cloudy. 



worms that were sapping the strength of the 

 fruit-trees ; what of the millions of grubs and 

 of destructive cut- worms devoured by the crow ? 

 I have seen the stomach of a crow that proved 

 to be full almost to overflowing with cut-worms 

 that were gathered the very morning of the 

 bird's death at the hands of an obstinate, igno- 

 rant, prejudiced farmer in that man's own field. 

 I do not speak strongly without reason. I have 

 in mind a cherry-tree, bearing phenomenally fine 

 fruit in great abundance. As soon as there was 

 a trace of blush upon the cherries the robins 

 came and feasted, and, as was claimed, to the 

 entire destruction of the crop. Not one bird, 

 but several, came, and then the cat-birds fol- 

 lowed. " No pies or puddings ; none to can 

 for next winter," these dolorous cries went up 

 throughout the house, and had there been no 

 staying hand, the arms of an arsenal would have 

 been brought to bear upon the offending birds. 

 There was as much mourning in-doors as out in 

 the yard there was " Music, good music, all day !" 

 The day of ripened fruit came at last, and all 

 the one-time mourners feasted ; our neighbors 

 feasted. We gathered until weary of gathering ; 



