St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-04-03
BIRDS WITH NERVE
IN CALIFORNIA THEY HAVE FREE
AND EASY WAYS.
Annoy the Children and Steal Articles
From cIothesIInes-Gulls at the
eeashore Are Wonderfully
Tame and socIable.

NY first experience Of the fearless
ness OF the California bird came to me
at second hand, writes a correspond
emit of Suburban Life. It also came
near getting a small boy into trouble.
After we were settled In little nome
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 home
one evening and said:
"T wish the birds would leave me
alone"
what birds?'' asked.
'eWhy, those little blackbirds you
see around" he answered. when I'm
riding to school they come down and
try to peck my hat off,"
The child had always been a truth
full child, but my faith in his veracity
was shaken. I gently expressed
doubt, but the boy backed up his as
sertion vehemently.
"They do it every morning" he per-
sisted, and I 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.
CHOSE little birds certainly are dar-
ing" said the neighbor. 1--WE seen
them try to take 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
tails, probably because they are never
molested here in the CITY,"
One morning, going out to the front
door, found caller. He was a tiny
fellow, riding a tricycle..
"Hello!" he said.
'Hello!" I answered. whats your
name?"
Henry" was the reply. 'T live
over there" pointing to house some.
distance across a vacant lot, and on
another street.
"And what are you doing so far
away from homer I asked.
81 want my little sisters shoe. It's
in your yard
How did it get in our yard?"
ga bird took it off my mammals
clothesline and brought it over"
And sure enough a search Of the
yard disclosed the little white shoe,
which the bird had pulled from the
line and brought over to us. The boys
mother had seen the feathered thief,
and watched it till it 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
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 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-
envy.
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 a 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
perhaps this is why they have learn
ed to be so fearless.
In some localities in the city's out
skirts telephone and other wires will
be covered for block or more with
small birds. What they find to eat
in the city is a problem, but they
thrive. Some of them are beautiful
songsters, and all seem to have cul-
tivated a friendly and fearless dispo-
sition.