DROLLERIES OF THE WOODS. 185 



to back them roused by the alarm and even the clamor- 

 ous crow, brings too his sooty phiz to give them countenance. 

 Thus reinforced, they even dare to strike at the passive rob- 

 ber, and so inflame the valor of their force, that even the 

 Tom-tit brushes by his kingly crest, in spiteful rage. Our 

 cunning friends know well, that should their foe lose pa- 

 tience, and condescend to strike at his tormenters, that their 

 shorter wings and quicker motions among the thick forest 

 boughs, would ensure them their escape. A few unsuccess- 

 ful feints the wary Hawk has made, (for he has now finished 

 his meal,) has filled them with excessive confidence, and now 

 they absolutely dare to buffet him, while he takes wing, all 

 panic-struck to find some more quiet refuge, followed by all 

 the flock of warlike brawlers, exulting in his wake. The 

 fugitive has bent his flight, all unawares, of course ! towards 

 where the forest is more open, his heedless pursuers hurrying 

 pell-mell after him. The open spot is gained, and his broad 

 pinions have now room to cleave. One fell backward swoop, 

 and all is silence ! save the dismal squall of the one captive 

 Jay,- who was the foremost knight of all, and led that rabble 

 rout ! Where, where are his brave peers now ? Echo an- 

 swers, and so does his dying screech ! 



So we see that Mr. Jay is subject to some of the vicissi- 

 tudes of war, and with all his cunning strategy, it is some- 

 times turned upon himself! This is, moreover, sometimes 

 illustrated too, quite pathetically in his case, when, returning 

 some fine morning from a neighborly round, during which 

 he had sucked the eggs from half a dozen nests, he finds, to 

 his dismay, that there are more benevolent people in the world 

 than himself, and that the Butcher-bird or Crow, has been 

 taking the occasion to pay him their respects in turn ; or, the 

 Black Snake, having seized the opportunity to embrace his 

 mate, whom he left brooding quietly upon the nest, is now 

 preparing to swallow her crushed body, having disposed of 

 the eggs or young beforehand. It is then, no doubt, he is 



