THE CROW 



A BIRD WITH FEW FRIENDS 



{Fig. 19) 



Y his enemies the Crow's character 

 is painted as black as his plumage, 

 but before we condemn him I 

 should like to hear the verdict of a 

 jury of Crows. We, for example, 

 would not like to have the buf- 

 falo or Wild Pigeon or Carolina Paroquet, or any- 

 other animal that man has exterminated, paint our 

 character. Even the house fly and mosquito could 

 prove that we were heartless murderers ! 



So we see that Crows must be judged by the stand- 

 ards of Crows, just as men are measured by the 

 standards of men. 



From this point of view I find much to admire 

 in the Crow. It is true that he takes our corn and 

 robs birds' nests of their eggs and young. But if a 

 wild Crow should show as much confidence in me 

 as Chickadee does, I should welcome his friendship 



and consider myself honored among my kind. 



97 



