138 THE ROMANCE OF EVERIFARM 



hide. Stay out in the open and keep your eye on 

 everyone, and learn to distinguish the difference be- 

 tween a gun and a pitchfork when carried by a man. 

 Also learn the difference between a man and a scare- 

 crow. Lots of folks lose their head over little things 

 which later prove to be nothing but a scarecrow. 

 However, don't take chances. That is the reason 

 the crow family is surviving and maintaining its 

 numbers, while all other bird families are growing 

 smaller. 



"Remember this. Never travel alone. Take some- 

 one along with you, no matter if it is on pleasure 

 or business. Here we are out here this morning on 

 business, the business of providing our breakfast. 

 We could all jump down on that young corn and 

 fill ourselves, possibly without any danger of being 

 killed by the farmer's shotgun, but it would be tak- 

 ing a chance, so whenever you feed on the ground 

 or in an obscure location, always post a sentinel, 

 that he may warn the rest of you of any danger while 

 you are feeding. 



"The method of deciding who shall be sentinel is 

 determined by the oldest and most experienced crow 

 in the party. In this case I am the one who decides. 

 Therefore, the three of you children shall take turns 

 in doing sentry duty, while your mother and I get 



