328 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [11:7— Oct., 1915 



that awakens in all members of the migratory species at about the 

 same time — a blind, irresistible force, one of nature's mysterious 

 workings — that impels them to move in a body to some remote 

 spot. Birds also have been known to have held voluntary meet- 

 ings on certain occasions other than these migratory gatherings, 

 meetings called for a definite purpose, giving evidence of a power 

 of independent thought and an ability on the part of the birds to 

 communicate abstract ideas to one another. 



Ravens, rooks, and crows have shown themselves possessed of 

 unusual intelligence, probably only because their greater size and 

 dark color makes them more easily observed than any of the smaller 

 species. Practically all the meetings of birds classified under the 

 name of " bird courts" have been held by some branch of that sable 

 fraternity. These courts are generally convened for the purpose of 

 enforcing certain well established laws of the feathered creatures, 

 and are accompanied by so much noise and commotion that they 

 frequently attract human spectators — the birds on such occasions 

 being so absorbed with the business in hand as to be blind to the 

 presence of onlookers who have approached the spot quietly. 

 Such strong dramatic features mark these courts of justice that 

 they have naturally attracted attention rather than any other 

 bird assemblages, for the feathered culprit is often severely pun- 

 ished, and even put to death by his self -constituted judges. 



It is a curious sight to witness one of these trials. One by one, 

 and in small groups the crows gather at a certain spot that seems 

 to have been appointed as the meeting-place — generally an old 

 tree at the edge of a wood. When all have assembled — sometimes 

 several hundred of the birds being congregated for the occasion — 

 the old "King Crow" opens the proceedings by cawing solemnly, 

 in a loud and strident tone. Then one after another the various 

 witnesses or accusers give expression to their opinions, and at the 

 conclusion of their statements pandemonium reigns; the whole 

 neighborhood is filled with noisy cawings and flapping of wings, 

 until people for miles around are aware that a crow court is in 

 session. Sometimes belated birds fly swiftly toward the clamorous 

 band, as if they had not understood fully where the meeting was to 

 have been held, and their approach is loudly heralded by the scouts 

 that have been placed on watch early in the proceedings. A brief 

 silence follows the arrival of these late comers, as if someone were 

 explaining what had taken place before they came, and then all 



