340 HOMING WITH THE BIRDS 



can see the little dusky falcons, relatives of the birds 

 formerly used by English women of rank and 

 leisure, sweeping almost against the backs of graz- 

 ing horses in the meadows, and with slight train- 

 ing they will perch upon the head of a dog in all 

 confidence. I should like to see someone try to 

 teach one to perch on the head of a cat. 



When I was small, I repeatedly saw my father 

 demonstrate that a flock of crows, feeding on corn 

 and cut worms at a time when crows are most 

 annoying to farmers, will pay no attention to a man 

 approaching with a hoe, but if he carries a gun, 

 every crow makes a sweep for a treetop out of range. 

 You say that is simple, crows see a hoe used with no 

 effect on them except to prepare food they like; 

 while with a "bang!" a gun drops one of the 

 flock. Very well, but if you admit that, you con- 

 cede to the crow the power to distinguish the hoe 

 from the gun, to remember from day to day which 

 is harmless and which kills, and further, to have 

 enough knowledge and fear of death to avoid things 

 which threaten it. 



We know that birds communicate with each 

 other by cries and calls, and of course their songs 

 have a meaning to them, but no one ever has and 

 probably ever will explain the concerted action 

 of a flock in the presence of danger. With us, in 

 similar circumstances, we say, "Something tells 

 me!" In the same way, "something tells" the 

 birds, but what it is, only the birds know. 



