didn't do anything of the kind, because Hooty was smart enough and
thoughtful enough to lead his tormentors away from the nest into the
darkest part of the Green Forest where their noise wouldn't bother
Mrs. Hooty. So she just settled herself more comfortably than ever
on those eggs which Blacky had hoped she would give him a chance to
steal, and his fine plan was quite upset.

Not one of his relatives had noticed that nest. They had been too
busy teasing Hooty. This was just as Blacky had hoped. He didn't
want them to know about that nest because he was selfish and wanted
to get those eggs just for himself alone. But now he knew that the
only way he could get Mrs. Hooty off of them would be by teasing her
so that she would lose her temper and try to catch some of her
tormentors. If she did that, there would be a chance that he might
slip in and get at least one of those eggs.

He would try it.

For a few minutes he listened to the noise of his relatives growing
fainter and fainter, as Hooty led them farther and farther into the
Green Forest. Then he opened his mouth.

"Caw, caw, caw, caw!" he screamed. "Caw, caw, caw, caw! Come back,
everybody! Here is Mrs. Hooty on her nest! Caw, caw, caw, caw!"

Now as soon as they heard that, all Blacky's relatives stopped
chasing and tormenting Hooty and started back as fast as they could
fly. They didn't like the dark part of the Green Forest into which
Hooty was leading them. Besides, they wanted to see that nest. So
back they came, cawing at the top of their lungs, for they were very