Dear Miss Blue,

Frederick Crow is at it again; this very morning I heard him scolding Bernard there on a branch of the silver maple (Bernard's home is at the fork of two sturdy limbs). Standing humped with tail all afluff; his little paws spread menacingly on the branch, so fierce was his expression that I thought Frederick would whirl around and fly off. Bernard held his pose all the while making his warning chuh chuh sound. Frederick took a step toward Bernard, wings spread and then flew off, turning his head backward for a split second and calling out an answering caw caw.The crows are becoming a nuisance here in the village and I am afraid I will again be called upon to solve the problem. I have read about the crow problem in Japan: The Kagoshima Journal has reported the numbers to exceed 7,000 in Tokyo; a Crow Patrol works constantly to eliminate the crows but it is a never-ending problem. It is FEAR, they say. They have confessed to the idea that the crows are smarter than they are! So you can see, Miss Blue, that this could be an enormous undertaking for me. Well, again I will be happy to take to the Village streets with my usual enthusiasm, the plan being to catch the crows and, as the good people in Japan have considered, relocating them outside the city. But where oh where would that be?

On a much lighter note, the handsome duck family has returned to our backyard. They have made their home for the summer here, to raise their little ones in safety. One of our neighbors feeds them corn, assuring us that Delbert and Daisy (Mr and Mrs) will again spend the summer here in our backyard (with occasional visits to the creek nearby). The continual rain seems to be perfect for the ducks. I will keep you informed of the happenings around here.

Until later,
Pearl, again helping