214 OMNIVOROUS BIRDS. 



larvae, is proscribed as a felon in all civilized countries, 

 and, with the wolves, panthers, and foxes, a price is put 

 upon his head. In consequence, various means of ensnar- 

 ing the outlaw have been had recourse to. Of the gun 

 he is extremely cautious, and suspects its appearance at 

 the first glance, perceiving with ready sagacity the wily 

 manner of the fowler. So fearful and suspicious are they 

 of human artifices, that a mere line stretched round a 

 field is often found sufficient to deter these wily birds 

 from a visit to the corn-field. Against poison he is not 

 so guarded, aud sometimes corn steeped in hellebore is 

 given him, which creates giddiness and death. Accord- 

 ing to Buffbn, pieces of paper in the form of a hollow cone, 

 smeared inside with bird-lime, and containing bits of raw 

 meat, have been employed. In attempting to gain the 

 bait, the dupe becomes instantly hood-winked, and, as 

 the safest course out of the way of danger, the Crow flies 

 directly upwards to a great height, but becoming fatigued 

 with the exertion, he generally descends pretty near to the 

 place from which he started, and is then easily taken. 



Another curious method, related by the same author, is 

 that of pinning a live Crow to the ground by the wings, 

 stretched out on his back, and retained in this posture 

 by two sharp, forked sticks. In this situation, his loud 

 cries attract other Crows, who come sweeping down to 

 the postrate prisoner, and are grappled in his claws. In 

 this way each successive prisoner may be made the in- 

 nocent meaas'of capturing his companion. The reeds in 

 which they roost, when dry enough, are sometimes set on 

 fire also to procure their destruction ; and, to add to the 

 fatality produced by the flames, gunners are also station- 

 ed round to destroy those that attempt to escape by flight. 

 In severe winters they suffer occasionally from famine and 



