IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
from the chance attacks of passing hawks or other bird ene¬ 
mies. I did not attempt to disturb these birds while they were 
brooding. One day as I passed, I saw the nest minus Mother 
Jay, and knowing that she had gone off to feed, I quickly 
climbed the tree, and with some difficulty succeeded in reaching 
the rude abode. There, on a soft lining of horsehair, probably 
gathered along the road, I saw the prettiest little eggs imagin-' v 
able. They were three in number, and about as big as'a robin’s 
egg, greenish-yellow in color, sprinkled here and th£re w.itE, 
reddish-brown and dull lilac spots. 
In due time three featherless jays sprang into/ existence, 
and they kept their parents busy filling the little hungfy mouths. 
About four days after their entry into this world, I climbed up 
to their rough but secure home, and viewed the featherless, half- 
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starved little fellows. Their eyes were still closed, and they 
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thrust their tiny bodies about in a blind fashion. 
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Owing to our spring vacation, which occurred ^t this time, 
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I did not have occasion to visit the jay family, aftehmy secopd 
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intrusion into their home. But when school resumed, about 
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two weeks later, I saw two of the young jays perched on a limb 
above their home and ready to launch out into the cruet" world 
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