Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-30
Dreadful Thing Happens.
Children who do not obey
Are in danger every dag.
Old Mother Nature,

The flve young F1ickers who first
came out of the home in the telegraph
pole to learn to climb had become
clever in getting about on that pole by
the time the other four ventured out.
It was surprising how rapidly some OF
them could dodge around that pole. 1t
was great fun to play hide-and-seek.
In playing the young FlickerS were
learning how to use their feet and tails
and how to dodge, most important
things to learn.
They all thought the Great World, or
such of it as they could see from that
telegraph pole, q very wonderful place.
1T is wonderful" agreed Mother yell
low Wing. but also 1t is very danger
Gus place for the careless and those
YOU know yet what real danger IS, but
sooner or later each one Of you will be
in q very dangerous place and 1t Is
necessary that you should know just
what to do. You haven't so many
enemies to fear as some other feathered
folk, and for this you should be thank
full. However, you must always be on
watch. There are two or three mem
bers of the Hawk family who would be
only too glad of Flicker dinner, and
always you must watch out for Black
will come when you are on the ground.
Then you must never forget to be on
watch for her. It is the Hawks fear
most for you until you have learned to
watch for them and to dodge when one
swoops at you. Remember always TO
put a tree trunk, a branch or post or
pole between you and any Hawk, or
any one you suspect may be Hawk,
who happens along. Never take any
chances. 1t is better to dodge the
wrong person hundred times than to
fail to dodge the right person once"
Now. one Of the young Flickers was
the first out Of the nest and the first
to climb to the top of the telegraph
pole. The others rather looked up to
him and tried to do whatever he did.
This made him feel important, which
is a very bad way for any young person
TO feel. Gradually he grew to think he
knew quite as much as his father and
mother He liked to show of, and
when his parents were not there to see
he did show of lot.
I'm not afraid Of any one" he
boasted. Mother Is always talking
about danger that never appears.
don't believe these dangers are half so
great as she makes out. I would like
to see a Hawk / would 50. II one
does happen around. I am going to
have a good look at him before try
to hide. Yes, sir, I'm going to stop
right where I am until I have had a
good look at him"
80 this foolish young Flicker boosted
when there was no one but his brothers
and sisters to hear him, and the more
he boosted the more important he felt
While his brothers and sisters were
always watching for possible danger, a.
their mother and father had told them
to. he spent his time showing on, heed
less and careless, and. oh, 20 concetted
whenever you see q strange bird
larger than yourselves, no matter If he
does look harmless, get behind this
pole and keep 1t between you and the
stranger" warned Mrs. Yellow Wing
Don't take chances Taking chances
has cost many a bird his life. 1t doesn't
| pay. 1t never did pay, and 1t never
will pay. Don't do it."
Now, 1t was that very afternoon
! while their parents were away, that