A few days ago, Cody and I were sitting on the porch, talking about the weather or politics or baseball, when a large flock of Starlings decended on the grass. I don't care for Starlings but they do control the Japanes Beatle population.

Cody came to full alert. Even his lazy left ear stood up nicely as he rose, he took one step forward and then looked to me for instructions. I said,"Go get'um boy". He left the porch in one leap clearing the steps and landing on the grass. He used his best charging skills to advance upon the birds. They in turn exploded into wild flight to excape this 4 legged threat. Their squawks and the sound of rushing wings was wonderous.

Some flew off, some flew to the large maple trees and some zipped in the bean patch.

Bean patch is made up of 4 long rows,(50 ft.) of climbing beans. Old timey cornfield beans, half runners and greasy cut shorts. Each row is about 7 feet high and can hide a lot of birds.

He dashed down one row, flushing birds as he went, 180 degree turn at the end to zip back down the next and so on an on. He happily did this until he could find now more birds. Then he would come down a row and barely stick his head out to spy on any birds returning. They did return only to be charged by a black and white demon from the bean patch. Birds soon got smart.

He kept this up for days, having great fun, thinking he was hiding. Then, someone cut down the bean vines! He thought about this for a while and decided since his beans were gone, he would take up with the corn.

He's still doing it. he runs down the corn row (1) thinks he is hidden an waits for birds.

I guess he is at least out of trouble. Jim