Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1893 — Quite Clever Birds. [ARTICLE]

Quite Clever Birds.

Early one morning last summer, writes a correspondent to the London Spectator, I was called to the window by a great noise among the bird people of the garden, and saw the following scene: A young blackbird was standing, fascinated by a cat, who was crouched under a bush, ready to spring on him. Au old blackbird, on an ilex close by, was uttering loud and agitated cries, and there was a general cackle of anger and sympathy from other birds all round. After a few seconds the cat sprang on the young bird and held it down. Auliat instant the old bird came down on them. There was a moment’s struggle, the bird beating her wings violently in the cat’s face, and, I think, pecking at her eyes; then the cat jumped back to her bush, the young bird made off with long hops and the old one flew up to the ilex, amid a jubilant chorus of commendation, which lasted some minutes. I never saw this before, though I have seen a robin oome right close to a cat stalking another bird, and scold and flap his wings in her face. The ways of birds are.delightful, and in a small garden yon can have many by keeping earthenware saucers full of water for them to bathe in.