194 BEACH GRASS 



usual diet of field-mice. He was certainly a 

 criminal among his race for I have evidence that 

 he has devoured in my forest not only several 

 robins but a grackle and a green heron. I have 

 seen him harrying the forest in the day time pur- 

 sued by most of its inhabitants. 



At times barn swallows to the number of fifty 

 or more have roosted in the forest ajid have 

 caused me infinite joy by their early song of 

 thanksgiving. Few birds sing so charmingly in 

 chorus as does the barn swallow. 



The distant calls of the crow and its varied 

 conversational notes, some of which have a very 

 human quality, and its rattling, crackling "song'' 

 already referred to, are pleasing rural sounds. 

 But I have determined never again to allow this 

 bird to nest in my forest, not only on account of 

 the danger to other birds' eggs and tender nest- 

 lings, but also because the sound of the constant 

 calling of the young for food, a repeated car car 

 car^ is most disturbing to one who is alert for 

 bird songs. Nor is this all, for, when the parent 

 inserts its bill and head into the capacious maw 

 of the youngster in order to feed it, this same 



