76 BIRD STORIES FROM BURROUGHS 



motionless gaze which I believe only snakes and 

 devils can assume, he turned quickly — a feat 

 which necessitated something like crawling over 

 his own body — and glided ofE through the 

 branches, evidently recognizing in me a repre- 

 sentative of the ancient parties he once so cun- 

 ningly ruined. A few moments later, as he lay 

 carelessly disposed in the top of a rank alder, try- 

 ing to look as much like a crooked branch as his 

 supple, shining form would admit, the old ven- 

 geance overtook him. I exercised my prerogative, 

 and a well-directed missile, in the shape of a stone, 

 brought him looping and writhing to the ground. 

 After I had completed his downfall and quiet had 

 been partly restored, a half-fledged member of 

 the bereaved household came out from his hiding- 

 place, and, jumping upon a decayed branch, 

 chirped vigorously, no doubt in celebration of the 

 victory. 



