214 KNOWING BIRDS THROUGH STORIES 



the corn buskers, picking up shelled com and hunting for 

 the worms that are occasionally found in the end of the 

 ear. Most of these "worms had already gone into the 

 ground, but it was surprizing bow many Sam would find 

 by tearing the husk open far enough to see the end of the 

 ear. 



When fall plowing began he delighted to stalk about over 

 the plowed fields, picking up beetles, worms, and grubs of 

 ^11 kinds. 



When winter came Sam did not have to hustle for food 

 as his wild kinsmen do, but nevertheless he enjoyed a 

 rabbit hunt now and then. Flying close to the ground he 

 would locate a rabbit sleeping in a tuft of grass or at the 

 root of a com stalk. Like a flash he would pounce on poor 

 bunny, probably striking him before he was aware of Sam's 

 presence. Away bunny would dash at full speed. Sam 

 would pursue and flying faster than the rabbit could run 

 every now and then would strike him so that in due time 

 the rabbit became easy prey. Almost always the crow 

 would draw blood the first time he struck the rabbit so 

 by the crimson stains on the snow I could easily track the 

 rabbit as he had run frantically here and there. Sam 

 would finally strike a fatal blow either in the eye or in 

 the back of the head. A wild crow would have eaten his 

 prey entire but Sam usually contented himself with eating 

 the eyes and possibly a few bites of the flesh, leaving the 

 carcass for some brother who might happen by, or for the 

 turkey buzzard that was always sailing somewhere in the 

 heavens on the lookout for just such a thing as this. 



In the breeding season crows nest by themselves ; but in 

 the fall the longing for companionship and gossip is sure 

 to return, and roosts are established where the crows for 



