of sparrow-hawks bred in an old crow's nest on a low 



beech in the same hanger ; and as their brood, which 



was numerous, began to grow 



up, became so daring and 



ravenous, that they were 



a terror to all the dames 



in the village that had 



chickens or ducklings 



under their care. A boy 



climbed the tree, and found 



the young so fledged that 



they all escaped from him ; 



but discovered that a good 



house had been kept : the larder was well stored 



with provisions ; for he brought down a young 



blackbird, jay, and house-martin, all clean-picked, 



and some half devoured. The old bird had been 



observed to make sad havoc for some days among 



the new-flown swallows and martins, which, being 



but lately out of their nests, had not acquired those 



powers and command of wing that enable them 



when more mature to set such enemies at defiance. 



A Jay. 



142 



