158 



while signaling to those behind. In this numner on one occasion Pro- 

 fessor Dennis drove them one-half mile to the west after which they 

 passed on the east. On his return he in like manner drove them an 

 equal distance to the east. 



For some reason the crows never went directly to the roost. Whether 

 it was done purposely to conceal the real roost can not be stated. How- 

 ever, thej^ deceived us in this manner and caused us much trouble to tind 

 the roost. Three visits were made to the vicinity, two at night and one 

 in the day time. The lirst visit, February 21st, they were found in a 

 wood and an adjoining cornfield along a small stream of water. As we 

 approached they pi-eceded us. Approaching as (juietly as possible, we 

 stopped by a large tree and remained quiet, thinking we might be in the 

 midst of the roost. Gradually all left; meanwhile scouts had been sent to 

 watch us. They would tly directly overhead and tlien return to give 

 information to the others. The roost was j-et to be found. We went to 

 the top of a neighboring hill and saw in the darkness several hundred 

 feet beyond thousands of crows on tlie snow-covered ground. We could 

 not apiu'oa.ch without disturbing (hem. We did not remain till they went 

 to the trees. 



The next time was February "J.'ld, from C! to (i:.jO p. m. We now found 

 all the crows in the trees, most of them across the river from the place 

 where we lirst saw them, in a large wood, the others in the sycamores 

 along the river (luite a distance from the main roost. They must have 

 been doing picket duty, because they uttered no cries, while the others 

 were constantly cawing; also when we purposely disturbed them some of 

 them left silently to join the others. 



The last visit, March 2d, was in the day time; the ground was care- 

 fully gone over; the boundaries were easily determined by the droppings, 

 examination of which gave good evidence that they were eating a great 

 deal of corn. 



The main roost was located on tlie north side of a hill, 12L» feet high, 

 thickly woaded witli beech, elm, and ash, and near the foot of this hill. 

 Reference to the map Avill show that the roost was located in a gorge 

 shut in by hills 1)0 feet high on the east, 50 feet high on the north and 

 west, and, as before mentioned, 120 feet high on the south. A public 

 road runs north and south to the east of tlie roost, and, as would be 

 expected, the ground gave evidence of more crows roosting some distance 

 from the road. 



