THE COMING OF MAN 181 



farmer declares war (all unjustly) against these 

 sable natives, but they jeer at his gun and traps 

 and scarecrows, and thrive on, killing the noxious 

 insects, devouring the diseased corn-sprouts, — 

 doing great good to the farmer in spite of himself. 

 The story of these sudden adaptations to con- 

 ditions which the birds could never have foreseen 

 is a story of great interest and it has been but half 

 told. Climb the nearest hill or mountain or even a 

 tall tree and look out upon the face of the country. 

 Keep in mind you are a bird and not a human, — 

 you neither know nor understand anything of 

 the reason for these strange sights, — these bipeds 

 who cover the earth with great square structures, 

 who scratch the ground for miles, who later gnaw 

 the vegetation with great shining teeth, and who 

 are only too often on the look out to bring sudden 

 death if one but show a feather. What would you 

 do? 



