mckay] THE CROW 357 



Why, will you believe me, they think frogs and mice and fish 

 are far better than ice-cream. They eat, and eat, and eat. 



But one day I heard a crow baby say, "You're crowding me," 

 and another little voice said, "Oh, I'm so crowded," and still 

 a third wee one cried out, "So am I." Mother Crow had to shake 

 her beak at them. "Caw — caw. . Will you be good babies!" 



Just then she thought of something, so she said, "Now come 

 along. Stand right here on the edge of the nest, every one of you." 

 And, to be sure, first five black heads, then five black bodies, 

 then five pairs of weak legs came out of the nest. And as sure as 

 my name's Jimmy Scarecrow, one of those five queer, top-heavy 

 children stepped out upon a branch. I knew he would tumble, 

 and tumble he did. But wasn't he surprised to find himself resting 

 on the branch below! He remembered then, that his wings had 

 gone up and down, and up and down just as his mother's always 

 did, Surely a prouder baby crow never lived. In a few days 

 all five were playing tag in the tree-top. 



Now let me tell you one thing more. I heard Daddy Crow say 

 this to his babies, "Do you see him? (and he pointed right at me.) 

 That's Jimmy Scarecrow. He just stands still, right there in 

 the corn field. Don't you be afraid of him." At first I really 

 didn't know just what to do. Think of their talking about me like 

 that. I thought a while — and then, what do you suppose I 

 did? — I just laughed a great big scarecrow laugh, and watched 

 the black babies flap their black wings above my head. 



FINGER PLAY 



(Left hand) 



Five little crows on a branch in a tree. 



Said the first little crow, 

 "What do you see?" 



Said the second little crow, 

 "A worm, I declare." 



Said the third little crow, 

 "Oh, brother, do share." 



Said the fourth little crow, 

 "I wish I could fly." 



Said the fifth little crow, 

 "Oh, yes, — So do. I." 



The limb gave a snap. — (Clap hands) 

 And away they flew. "Flap,— Flap,— Flap. 



