BIRDS AND MAN 45 



more daws followed, and the crowd of seven 

 birds began eagerly pecking at the animal's hide. 

 But there was not room enough for them to 

 move freely ; they pushed and struggled for a 

 footing, throwing their wings out to keep their 

 balance, looking like a number of hungry vultures 

 fighting for places on a carcase ; and soon two of 

 the seven were thrown off and flew away. The 

 remaining five, although much straitened for 

 room, continued for some time scrambling over 

 the cow's back, busy with their beaks and 

 apparently very much excited over the treasure 

 they had discovered. It was amusing to see how 

 the cow took their visit ; sinking her body as if 

 about to lie down, and broadening her back, and 

 dropping her head until her nose touched the 

 ground, she stood perfectly motionless, her tail 

 stuck out behind like a pump-handle. At length 

 the daws finished their feeding and quarrelling 

 and flew away ; but for some minutes the cow 

 remained immovable in the same attitude, as if 

 the rare and deUghtful sensation of so many 

 beaks prodding and so many sharp claws scratch- 

 ing her hide had not yet worn off". 



Deer, too, like cows, are very grateful to the 



