ee-you!_" The cry came from above his head. And looking up,
Jasper Jay saw Mr. Red-shouldered Hawk himself, dropping down like
lightning out of the sky.

Mr. Hawk paid not the slightest attention to the frightened hens and
their chicks. He seemed to have eyes only for Jasper Jay. And on his
proud, cruel face there was a look of anger that made Jasper wish he had
never, never imitated Mr. Hawk's cry.

He was sorry now, that he had not heeded Mr. Crow's warning. But his
cousin, old Mr. Crow, was always looking solemn and croaking loudly
about "trouble." It was no wonder that people paid little attention to
what he said.

IX

JASPER HAS TO HIDE

WHEN Jasper Jay looked up and saw Mr. Red-shouldered Hawk darting down
upon him from above, he dodged to one side and screamed loudly for help.

His friend Noisy Jake was known as a great fighter. And Jasper hoped
that together they might be able to drive Mr. Hawk away.

But he was disappointed. Noisy Jake did not appear. And there was a good
reason why he did not. At that very moment he was flying off across the
meadow as fast as his beautiful wings could carry him. He had seen Mr.
Hawk circling above the barnyard. And he had lost no time in making his
escape.

But Jasper Jay knew nothing of all that. And when he found that there
was no one to help him he was just as frightened as the hens had been.
He knew that he was no match for Mr. Hawk. And he had no wish to make a
meal for him. Jasper was quite willing to leave that pleasure to the
frogs that splashed their time away along the banks of Black Creek.

For a few moments Jasper ducked first one way and then another. He had
several narrow escapes. And there's no telling what might have happened
if he hadn't suddenly decided that he would follow the hens' example.

So without even stopping to knock on the door he dashed into the chicken
house and alighted on a roost in the darkest corner he could find.

For two excellent reasons Mr. Red-shouldered Hawk did not follow him.
First, he had always made it a rule never to go inside one of Farmer
Green's buildings. And second, he happened to catch a glimpse of Farmer
Green running into the house through the kitchen door.

Mr. Hawk knew what that meant. Farmer Green was going for his gun! And
so he winged his way swiftly toward Black Creek, hoping--as he
went--that he had taught Jasper Jay a lesson.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, there was a