126 CLARK'S CROW. 



or dead and leafless tree-tops, the trunks of which 

 are hidden in the water; but the Indian and 'trap- 

 per' discerns in a second that the apparent 

 branches are the antlers of a herd of Wapiti that 

 have been driven into the water by Breeze-flies. 

 Wild cattle seek a like means of protecting them- 

 selves against such terrible foes : a perfect forest 

 of horns may frequently be witnessed in a pool, 

 but not a vestige of the bullocks, save their noses, 

 kept above water for the purpose of breathing. 



For the first time I notice that singular bird 

 CLARK'S CROW, Picicorvus Columbianus (Bon.), 

 hopping busily from branch to branch amidst the 

 pine trees. 



Wilson, in his 'American Ornithology,' in giving 

 a brief notice of this bird, says : ' It is remarkable 

 for its formidable claws, which approach to those 

 of the Falco genus, and would seem to intimate 

 that its food consists of living animals, for whose 

 destruction these weapons must be necessary. It 

 inhabits the shores of the Columbia, frequenting 

 the rivers and sea-shore, probably feeding on 

 fish.' There never could have been a greater 

 mistake; the bird never frequents the river 

 banks, never by any chance eats fish, and would 

 no more attempt the capture of other living 

 things than would a turtle-dove or a canary-bird. 



