Solitary Toes and Brown-Headed Cowbirds
A Hickory Doc’s Tale
by
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Flying in the sky toward our oak tree was a bird. I sat up and started howling. "It's a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD!" I knew that because it had dark colors on its body and a brown head. We were trained at hunting school to recognize birds and learn their scent.
Zeke and I became excited. We jumped and howled as the cowbird landed in the dove's nest, right above us. Then I heard the shrill whistle and clicking sound the cowbird made – wee, click, wee, click.
Cowbird and dove feathers flew everywhere. After that came the soft sound of coo-ah, coo, coo, from the gray colored dove. The cowbird shoved the dove out of its nest. Plop! It landed right on top of Zeke's head.
Zeke is not one to move at all unless he is motivated. Yep, he was motivated! Zeke jumped, twisted, nipped, and threw his head back and forth trying to get the dove off. The dove hung on and clamped down with its toes. However, that didn't last long because the dove slipped and ended up on Zeke's large brown nose. I was shaking with laughter so hard I couldn't bark. Eye-to-eye, head-to-head, both Zeke and the dove struggled. Feathers were flying, ears were flopping, and still Zeke continued to jump, twist, and nip until the dove finally let go and flew off. I thought I heard the dove cooing. "When I get my beak on that cowbird…."
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About the Book
Doc is the oldest and wisest of five hunting dogs at the Lazy Dog Hacienda. He’s expected to keep the rest of the pack in line, especially during hunting trips. But things get interesting when the Great One (our hunter) adds a new animal into the mix.
Solitary Toes and Brown-Headed Cowbirds shares a humorous story depicting the relationships between horses, cowbirds, and hunting dogs. Geared toward first through third grade readers, this young reader’s book helps children improve their reading skills while providing knowledge about animals, nature, and life lessons.
“These hunting dogs jump off the page and come to life through Linda’s tales of their adventures as they face challenges in life. I am a second-grade teacher in Eagle Nest, New Mexico, and I also organize our public library summer reading program. Linda’s stories engaged our students in the lives of these dogs, sparking great discussions and learning activities about character development, sequencing, and elements of the story. One student brought a stuffed puppy dog named after Zeke to join the fun every week.”
—Cindy Carr, NBCT
“A lovable bird dog points the way to outdoor fun in the country in this children’s book……A sweet slice of rural American canine life.”
—Kirkus Review
“The Hickory Doc’s Tales book series is always a thrilling adventure by an author who writes from the heart.”
—Sondra Mullins, Gilcrease Museum Docent
About the Author
Linda Harkey is a former teacher and museum docent. She is an enthusiastic hunting dog owner for more than thirty years. She has two children, three grandchildren, and lives with her husband, Mike, on Ocate Mesa outside of Angel Fire, New Mexico. She is the author of The Budding Staff, Hickory Doc’s Tales, and The Remarkable Story of Willie the Crow.
Mike Minick earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Oklahoma. He owns a creative studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Minick and his wife Joey have two children.