CROW. 213 



seem always to prefer the low shelter of reed-flats. On 

 the river Delaware, in Pennsylvania, there are two of these 

 remarkable Crow-roosts. The one mentioned by Wil- 

 son is an island near Newcastle, called the Pea-Patch, 

 a low, flat, alluvial spot, just elevated above high-water 

 mark, and thickly covered with reeds, on which the Crows 

 alight and take shelter for the night. Whether this 

 roost be now occupied by these birds or not, I cannot 

 pretend to say, but in December, 1829, 1 had occasion 

 to observe their arrival on Reedy Island, just above the 

 commencement of the bay of that river, in vast numbers ; 

 and as the wind wafted any beating vessel towards the 

 shore, they rose in a cloud, and filled the air with clamor. 

 Indeed, their vigilant and restless caiving continued till 

 after dark. 



Creatures of mere instinct, they foresee no perils be- 

 yond their actual vision, and thus, when they least expect 

 it, are sometimes swept away by an unexpected destruc- 

 tion. Some years ago, during the prevalence of a sudden 

 and violent northeast storm, accompanied by heavy rains, 

 the Pea Patch island was wholly inundated in the night, 

 and the unfortunate Crows, dormant and bewildered, made 

 no attempts to escape, and were drowned by thousands, 

 so that their bodies blackened the shores the following 

 day for several miles in extent. 



The Crow, like many other birds, becomes injurious 

 and formidable only in the gregarious season. At other 

 times they live so scattered, and are so shy and cautious, 

 that they are but seldom seen. But their armies, like all 

 other great and terrific assemblies, have the power, in 

 limited districts, of doing very sensible mischief to the 

 agricultural interests of the community ; and in conse- 

 quence, the poor Crow, notwithstanding his obvious ser- 

 vices in the destruction of a vast host of insects and their 



