Now Blacky the Crow is somewhat, somewhat cunning. He is one of the smartestof all the little people who fly. No one can get into more mischiefand still keep out of trouble than can Blacky the Crow. That isbecause he uses the wits in that yellow head of his. In fact, somepeople are unkind enough to say that he spends all his spare time inplanning mischief. The more he thought of those eggs, the more hewanted them, and it wasn't long before he began to try to plan someway to get them without risking his own precious skin.

"I can't do it alone, " thought he, "and yet if I take any one intomy secret, I'll have to share those eggs. That won't do at all,because I want them myself. I found them, and I ought to havethem." He quite forgot or overlooked the fact that those eggsreally belonged to Hooty and Mrs. Hooty and to no one else. "Now letme see, what can I do?"