I04 The Ottawa Naturalist. [September 



time before the other, I should have had opportunities of studying 

 the character and individuality of each. They were very fond of a 

 bath, and would dash and splash in the water pan which I always 

 left in the sun for their convenience. When the day was fine and 

 warm, they never missed their bath. They drank slowly, much as 

 chickens do. 



A pdir of Kingbirds for several seasons have had their nest 

 in my garden, and they used to persecute my crows most shame- 

 f''lly. They would fly after the crows, alight on their backs, and 

 peck at them. It was some time before I could satisfy myself that the 

 kingbird actually rested on the crow's back when attacking him : 

 his (the kingbird's) wings would always be extended and elevated, 

 and fluttering to enable him to keep his balance ; but I felt sure 

 that his feet were always on the crow's shoulders when he attacked 

 the latter. The kingbirds were the only creatures around my 

 premises of whom my crows were afraid, and they certainly lived in 

 bodily fear of them. 



One morning I found one of my crows lying near the barn 

 wall, quite dead. I have no doubt he flew against the bain in 

 terror trying to escape from the kingbirds. I was very sorry, as I 

 was now left with only one pet ; he missed his companion, and 

 kept my company and that of the dogs, more than ever. I felt 

 sorry for him in his loneliness. 



In September I went to Manitoba. I was away a month. 

 Almost the first thing I asked for on my return, was my crow. My 

 people had only bad news to tell me of him : he had been going 

 away a good deal, and on one or two occasions had stayed away 

 for two days or more ; he seemed, in fact, to have lost regard for 

 them and love for his Rome, etc. I went into the garden and 

 called him ; he flew straight to me and alighted on my shoulder. 

 He commenced pecking, in a bibbling way, at my ear, and chatter- 

 ing all the while ; the bird was overflowing with joy to see me, 

 and stayed by me and with me the rest of the day. 



A pet crow I had the year before was very fond of having his 

 head scratched, which operation I used to perform with my finger. 

 My wife used a small piece of chip or stick for the purpose, being 

 afraid of bird-lice creeping on her. He would follow her until she 

 picked up a chip, when he would hold his head in position to be 



