WINTER COURAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1928, Page 4

WINTER COURAGE

(Auckland ytai). / There is no surer sign of winter’s] approach than the added courage of \ bird and l>east. .Each day they -.become more venturesome; daily less shy. With the abundant food and warmth of late spring and early summer their human friends are treated with scant courtesy, rank indifference. Cows go far afield and behave like nnilgtby children when pressed to return home. Horses show a lively pair of heels to the Unfortunate ones who trail round the paddocks with a bridle which they fondly think is hidden behind them. Pigs on free range have to he reminded that it is tea time aad grunt dissntis'action ah the way home. Little birds bid yov an airy good morning and good-night-, scarcely waiting to look for a stray crust. But what a change i” May. Bobbin whinnies over the fcnco several times a day; lie almost helps you on with l,i s bridle, for a trip means a feed of wanning chaff or oaten hay. Blossom lew; at the stockyard gate long and plaintively for her nightcap of bran and roll a id. Sh- never needs a dog detective to get her out of her hiding hole ii/tlie tea-tree or swamp these .night-;. Cap" ain Occike and -family are' early home without assistance and are creating a horiobile d;in lieai the pig pens. Rover looks anxiously at the kitchen door when it sounds like opening. Even after he is fed he hangs around with nil-apologetic air as one who would say. . “This roM «iw a fellow a donee of an appetite. ’ Outdoor cals have to be continually reminded of the fact, and ii they can sneak in near the old, comfy cold stove they pur like a motor winding. I‘iold mice creep into the Inn'll, and barn mice creep into the liou.se if there is a chink at all. Goldfinches with autumn’s own colours, scarlet and gold steal cosmos seed from under your nose. Sparrows sit on windelw-sills to grub stray crumbs; fantails a study in navy anil bluff, dart f-earlossly through doors and windows after belated houseflies; thrushes and starlings poke painstakingly amongst garden refuse, hardly' heeding the man with the hoe. The kingfisher, who always looked as though lie is dressed for an alderman’s dinner, pays his rare visits. For such a fine gentleman ho is not at all fussy as to where lie shall sit. Usually it is the clothes prop or the clothes line, or a very humble post. I am afraid he is really a. Uriah Hoop, his humility is only a pose. Tn these days of Nature’s, scantiness even the seagulls beg a, bite from the fowl fun. And that strange human animal who -little more than a month ago was hectic-ally wiping a dripping l>row throws a joyful look at the open fire and says. “Thank Ged for a back log.”