MY GARDEN ACQUAINTANCE. 23 



time in a single tree, the stones pattering down like the 

 sparse hail that preludes a storm), and that he gnaws off 

 the small end of pears to get at the seeds. He steals 

 the corn from mider the noses of my j^oultrj. But what 

 would you have 1 He will come down upon the limb of 

 the tree I am lying imder till he is within a yard of me. 

 He and his mate will scurry up and down the great black- 

 walnut for my diversion, chattering like monkeys. Can 

 I sign his death-warrant who has tolerated me about his 

 grounds so long 1 Not I. Let them steal, and welcome. 

 I am sure I should, had I had the same bringing up and 

 the same temptation. As for the birds, I do not believe 

 there is one of them but does more good than harm ; and 

 of how many featherless bipeds can this be said 1 



