Section for Juniors Ways of the Wild

Forest and Bird, Issue 88, 1 May 1948, Page 15

Section for Juniors Ways of the Wild

By

E. T. FROST.

THE sun was about to rise over the distant hills, heralding another glorious summer’s day, and the creatures of the wild, sensing it before they saw it, were stirring in their retreats, stretching, their limbs preparatory to foraging for breakfast.

Around a dwelling where humans resided were several denizens of the scrubland and bush, all animated by the one urge, that of procuring food. It was an age-old problem with them and instinct, so pronounced in these creatures, had set several of them moving in various directions, which eventually converged, culminating in a tragedy and. a robbery.

The first on the move was a tiny rodent, Silky the mouse. Stealthily moving out from the shelters of a low hedge where it dwelt, Silky crept in absolute silence towards a piece of bread the child of the house had thrown away the evening before.

At that particular moment Rufus, the big house cat, had stretched his limbs and was peering through . his special look-out in the hedge hoping to catch an unwary bird,. Such a bird often had provided him with a toothsome morsel.

Not a feather was in sight, but the tiny form of Silky, moving stealthily towards the piece of bread, caught his eye. 1

“Ha,” quoth Rufus, “I will have fur instead of feathers for breakfast,” and made a dash and gathered in Silky. So far so good thought Rufus, a little game first will be an appetiser so he played with poor little Silky as cats have done with mice all through the ages, pretending to look away at times and, let his helpless prey

have a little freedom, to be brought back again within reach by a stroke of his merciless claws.

Unknown to Rufus, who apparently thought he had the whole landscape to himself, there were two other onlookers, one up on the balcony of the neighbouring house, the other high up in a tree.

The housewife, although very much afraid of Silky and its kind could not help but feel sorry while watching this cat and mouse came and her sympathy leaned towards the now helpless little animal.

A much more interested spectator was Bluey the Kingfisher, high up in the tree, for here was a chance for a meal if only Rufus would look the other way long enough. Time after time Bluey was on the point of swooping down when Rufus gathered Silky in again.

At last the little animal, apparently being much shaken and mesmerised by the glare of its captor’s cruel eyes, could hardly move and. Rufus gave it an extra strong sweep with its paw and knocked it a yard or so away. This was just what Bluey had been waiting for, and swiftly diving out of the tree, snatched up Silky just as Rufus turned his head and made , a rush at him.

Rufus was too late, however, for missing the sharp slaws by only inches Bluey flew up into the tree where it soon battered, the mouse to insensibility on a branch and devoured it, leaving a hungry and angry cat down below. The housewife who witnessed it all could not help but admire the audacity of Bluey in snatching a breakfast, literally out of the mouth of its hereditary enemy.

Birds soon know people who protect them and feed them. They tell one another and will fearlessly visit your homes and gardens, singing their lovely songs and amusing you with their funny ways. They will eat insect pests in the garden, and the Fantails will come in at your open windows to catch flies that annoy you. Care for the birds and you will become children whom birds love. They will come to you, not only for what they can get, but also because

they like to be with you.

FLORA PATIE.