The Cairo bulletin., 1912-04-07
BIRDS WITH NERVE
IN CALIFORNIA THEY HAVE FREE
AND EAsY WAYS.
Annoy the Children and Steal Articles
From otheslnss--GuIls at the
Seashore Are Wonderfully
Tame and Soclsbe.

Ny FIRST experience of the fearless
ness OF the California bird came to me
at second hand, writes a corresponds
tn: of Suburban Life, II also cana
near getting small boy into trouble.
After we were settled In little home
the said small boy went 80 school on
his bicycle. down busy avenue, with
street cars running to and fro CON
stantiy Before he had made the jour
ney many times the child came homo
one evening and said:
Il wish the birds would leave me
alone"
What birds?" | asked.
Way, those little blackbirds you
see around,' he answered. When I'm
riding TO school they come down and
try 20 peck my hat off"
The child had always been truth
full child. but my faith in his veracity
was shaken, | gently expressed a
doubt, but the boy backed up his as
sert'on yehemently.
They do 1t every morning" he per-
sisted, and had to let it 60 at that.
Later en-, In speaking OF this par
icu.ar breed Of bird to a ne:ghbol,
the boys statement was justified
Those little birds certainly are dar-
sng," said the neighbor i've sean
taen try to take Piece OF bread or
cake from childs hand--and not
such small child, either. They dou't
seem to have the ordinary fear Of ley-
tals, probably because they are naYsr
nosested here in the city"
One morning. going out to the front
door ! found caller. He was a thy
'el.ow. riding a tricycle.,
Hello" he said
"He!lo!" | answered. WHAT'S your
name?n
Henry" was the reply. 81 live
over there" pointing 10 house some
distance across a vacant Let, and on
another street.
And what are you doing so far
away from homer" ! asked
II want my little sisters shoe It's
in your yard"
How did it get in our yard?"
"A bird TOOK 1t of my mammals
clotheslire ard brought 1t over"
And sure enough a search OF the
yard disclosed the little white shoe,
which the bird had pulled from tho
line and brought over to US The boys
mother had seen the feathered thief,
and watched 1t till it dropped its booty
In our back yard
The tameness Of the gulls at the sea-
shore Is another source OF wonder ANA
delight When we 60 to the beach We
save the scraps OF our luncheon and
use them as coaxer for the gulls
sitting on the sand, piece by piece the
scraps are thrown around us, and by
and by We have circle Of the beau
tiiul 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. rs
At last, when they have found out
that no aggressive move is made, the
creatures will approach, almost Within
reach of our hands. On the piers
where people are fishing the gulls will
sit In rows, waiting for chance at
discarded bait or fish, People pass
constantly to and fro near them, but
they show no fear Rules regarding
their protection are very strict, and
Ferhaps this Is why they have learn
I'd to be 90 fearless.
In some localities In the city's out
skirts telephone and other wires will
lie covered for block or more with
small birds. What they find to eat
In the city Ia Il problem, but they
thrive, Some Of them are beautiful
4ongsters, and all seem to have cui-
.iyatcd friendly and fearless dispo.
sition.