Birds and All Nature, Vol. 4, No. 3, September 1898

In this richly illustrated volume, listeners are taken on a tour of the less‑celebrated side of wildlife—the instinct to steal. From hive‑bees pilfering a bumble‑bee nest to robins and sparrows chasing away larger birds for a single worm, the book reveals how thievery is woven into the daily lives of many creatures. Vivid color photographs accompany each tale, letting you picture the bustling drama of insects and birds as they wrestle with hunger and habit.

The narrative also wanders into the quirks of domesticated animals. Frank Buckland’s mischievous pet rat, bold enough to snatch fish from a mantel‑piece, is recounted alongside a curious friendship between a terrier and a tomcat that unexpectedly raises a litter of feral kittens, turning the garden into a stage for covert raids on chickens and rabbit carcasses. These observations blend scientific insight with charming storytelling, inviting listeners to reconsider the moral landscape of the natural world.