"I thought the cat was the most bloodthirsty foe the birds had." My mother dipped her wings more slowly and poised her body gracefully a moment.

Then she said impressively, "Our greatest enemy is man.

No," suddenly correcting herself, "not man, but women, women and children." "Women and dear little children our enemies ?" said I, in astonishment.
"The pretty ladies who speak so sweet and kind! The pretty ladies who gather roses in the garden! Would they deprive us of life ?" My mother nodded.
"Yes," she answered, "the pretty ladies, the wicked ladies.".