CHAPTER XVII 



The Blue Jay: Cyanocitta cristata 



IN THE ORCHARD 



A long-time friend of mine 

 told me that "if I was interested 

 in such a blamed nuisance as a 

 Jay Bird there was a nest in a 

 grape-vine covered scrub elm in a 

 fence-corner on the west side of 

 the orchard." So I turned in at 

 the lane, drove past the machinery 

 sheds, past the garden where 

 squares of radishes, onions, let- 

 tuce, poppies and phlox were sur- 

 rounded by a hedge of goose- 

 berry and currant bushes, past the 

 milk yard, past the big red barn, 

 and down the long lane which 

 separated the orchard from a 

 wheat-field and led on to the 

 creek. This world has no more 

 beautiful spot than that orchard. 

 The great trees were at their 



prime, there was a thick carpet of waving grass beneath them, an 

 arch of blue with lazy floating clouds above, and around it a 

 lichen- and vine-covered old snake fence, most rails of which 

 housed uncounted tenants. 



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