his breast in the
cool water, and soon he felt much refreshed and more like his old self
again.

But he decided not to go to the oriole's nest that morning, but to
search for grabs and beetles amongst the mosses beneath the oak-trees.

Chapter VI
Jim Crow Fools the Policeman

FROM that time on Policeman Blue Jay made his home in the forest,
keeping a sharp eye upon the actions of Jim Crow. And one day he flew
away to the southward and returned with Mrs. Blue Jay, who was even more
beautiful than her mate. Together they built a fine nest in a tree that
stood near to the crow's tall pine, and soon after they had settled down
to housekeeping Mrs. Blue Jay began to lay eggs of a pretty brown color
mottled with darker brown specks.

Had Jim Crow known what was best for him he would have flown away from
this forest and found himself a new home. Within a short flight were
many bits of woodland where a crow might get a good living and not be
bothered by blue jays. But Jim was obstinate and foolish, and had made
up his mind that he never would again be happy until he had been
revenged upon his enemy.

He dared no longer rob the nests so boldly as he had before, so he
became sly and cunning. He soon found out that the Blue Jay could not
fly as high as he could, nor as fast; so, if he kept a sharp lookout for
the approach of his foe, he had no trouble in escaping. But if he went
near to the nests of the smaller birds, there was the blue policeman
standing guard, and ready and anxious to fight at a moment's notice. It
was really no place for a robber at all, unless the robber was clever.

One day Jim Crow discovered a chalkpit among the rocks at the north of
the forest, just beyond the edge of trees. The chalk was soft and in
some places crumbled to a fine powder, so that when he had rolled
himself for a few minutes in the dust all his feathers became as white
as snow. This fact gave to Jim Crow a bright idea. No longer black, but
white as a dove, he flew away to the forest and passed right by
Policeman Blue Jay, who only noticed that a big white bird had flown
amongst the trees, and did not suspect it was the thieving crow in a
clever disguise.

Jim found a robin's nest that was not protected, both the robin and his
wife being away in search of food. So he ate up the eggs and kicked the
nest to pieces and then flew away again, passing the Blue Jay a second
time all unnoticed.

When he reached a brook he washed all t