I was feeling downright besieged until I read a news story last week about a house in Pasadena that got invaded by 1,000 migratory birds. I don't know who counted all the four-inch Vaux's swifts that took a detour down the house's chimney on their way north from Mexico or Central America. The estimate probably came from fire and police officials who rousted the invaders from behind furniture and picture frames and such. I doubt the number came from the house's owners. If a flock of birds came flapping down my chimney, I wouldn't care if it was a thousand or a zillion.
Birds is birds.
I'd be too busy running for my life. And second, it also pays to keep a spark arrester on one's chimney. Hope those poor people didn't have a cat. Sharon Randall is a winner of the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors and the Best of the West commentary awards. E.W. Scripps Publications , All Rights Reserved.