The Holbrook news., 1912-03-22
BIRDS WITH NERVE
IN CALIFORNIA THEY HAVE FREE j. AND EASY WAYS.
Annsy the Children and Steal Articles From cIothesIines-GuIIs at the seashore Are Wonderfully
 Tame and SoclabIe.

My first experience of the fearless ness of the California bird came to me at second hand, writes a corresponds ent of Suburban Life. It also came near getting a small boy into trouble. After we were settled in little home the said small boy went to school on his bicycle, down busy avenue, with street cars running to and fro con- stantly. Before he had made the jour ney many times the child came homo one evening and said:
 'T wish the birds would leave me alone"
 What birds?" asked.
 ''Why, those little blackbirds you see around" he answered. When Pm riding to school they come down and try to peck my hat of"
 The child had always been truth full child, but my faith in his veracity was shaken. I gently expressed a doubt, but the boy backed up his as- sertion vehemently.
 They do it every morning" he per sisted, and had to let it go at that.
 Later on, in speaking of this par ticular breed of bird to a neighbor, the boys statement was justified.
 "Those little birds certainly are dar- ing" said the neighbor. i've seen them try to take a piece of bread or cake from a child's hand-and not such small child, either. They don't seem to have the ordinary fear of nor tals, probably because they are never molested here in the city"
 One morning, going out to the front door, found caller. He was tiny fellow, riding tricycle..
 ''Hellol" he said.
 ''Hello!" answered. Whats your name?"
 Henry" was the reply. 'T live over there" pointing to a house some distance across a vacant lot, and on another street.
 And what are you doing so far away from home?" I asked.
 'I want my little sisters shoe. It's in your yard"
 How did 1t get in our yard?"
 "A bird took it of my mammals and brought it over."
 And sure enough search of the yard disclosed the little white shoe. which the bird had pulled from the line and brought over to us. The boy's mother had seen the feathered thief. and watched 1t till 1t dropped its booty In our back yard.
 The tameness of the gulls at the sea- shore is another source of wonder and delight. When we go to the beach. we save the scraps of our luncheon and J use them as a coaxer for the gulls. Sitting on the sand, piece by piece the scraps are thrown around us, and by and by we have a circle of the beau tiful and graceful birds, all on the alert for another piece, but equally on the alert for the approach of any thing which might be called an en- emy.
 At last, when they have found out that no aggressive move is made, the will approach, almost within reach of our hands. On the pierG where people are fishing, the gulls will | .it in rows, waiting for a chance at | discarded bait or fish. People pass to and fro near them, but | .hey show no fear. Rules regarding | their protection are very strict, and | perhaps this is why they have learn ed to be so fearless.
 In some localities in the city's out Ikirts telephone and other wires will oe covered for a block or more with mall birds. What they find to eat n the city is 8 problem, but they hrive. Some of them are beautiful and all seem to have cul ivated friendly and fearless dispo- Iition-