Be fore long, it was time for the chicks to leave the nest. This seemed like such a precarious time for the young birds. They tried to fly, but they got no farther than my backyard. these chicks were the perfect prey for cats. I wondered if their parents would protect them. I soon found out. chirping robins surrounded my yard. they were trying to encourage the chicks. some of the birds seemed to be stationed as guards. when I let my cat out, several of them swooped down on my cat. their first attacks were merely warnings, but I wondered what they would do if the cat persisted in hunting the chicks. I kept ma cat inside for several days.