THE FAMILIAR BIRDS 



or screen of any kind. The first fish crow that flew 

 over in egging time would see the nest and rifle it 

 promptly. I would I could have told the mother 

 robin of the dangerous site of her nest. A week or 

 ten days later I saw her brooding her eggs in appar- 

 ent security, but not long afterward I found her 

 gone and her nest empty and torn; but as I put my 

 hand in the post, out went the mother bluebird. 

 The crows and jays could not reach her, and she was 

 right in claiming the post as alone suited to her 

 needs. Birds have their troubles as well as we 

 featherless bipeds. 



In May the jays are out on their egging expedi- 

 tions in the groves and orchards. I see two or three 

 together sneaking about — not graceful flyers, or 

 very pleasing birds in summer, but in winter it is a 

 pleasure to see them. Most other birds seem to 

 know them as thieves and robbers. Yesterday one 

 alighted on a post in the vineyard below me and 

 sat quietly taking his bearings. Suddenly a robin 

 came from ambush somewhere and made a vicious 

 pass at him. The jay squatted to avoid the blow, 

 and uttered his ugly "Scat!" The robin took his 

 stand near by and watched him. The jay flew to a 

 near-by apple-tree, and the robin shot in after him 

 very savagely. The jay soon flew down toward the 

 river. I think that the robin does not quite hit the 

 jay on such occasions, but her angry tone and threat- 

 ening manner make the thief know that she is aware 



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