A Paradise of Birds 



the regular harrow-shape order when the leader 

 heard the cry, and I shall never forget how 

 bravely he left his place at the head of the flock 

 and hurried back screaming and struck at me 

 in trying to save his companion. I dodged down 

 and held my hands over my head, and thus 

 escaped a blow of his elbows. Fortunately I 

 had left my gun at the fence, and the life of this 

 noble bird was spared after he had risked it in 

 trying to save his wounded friend or neighbor 

 or family relation. For so shy a bird boldly to 

 attack a hunter showed wonderful sympathy 

 and courage. This is one of my strangest hunt- 

 ing experiences. Never before had I regarded 

 wild geese as dangerous, or capable of such 

 noble self-sacrificing devotion. 



The loud clear call of the handsome bob- 

 whites was one of the pleasantest and most 

 characteristic of our spring sounds, and we 

 soon learned to imitate it so well that a bold 

 cock often accepted our challenge and came 

 flying to fight. The young run as soon as they 

 are hatched and follow their parents until 

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