126 CLARK’S CROW. 
or dead and leafless tree-tops, the trunks of which 
are hidden in the water; but the Indian and ‘trap- 
per’ discerns in a second that the apparent 
branches are the antlers of a herd of Wapiti that 
have been driven into the water by Breeze-flies. 
Wild cattle seek a like means of protecting them- 
selves against such terrible foes: a perfect forest 
of horns may frequently be witnessed in a pool, 
but not a vestige of the bullocks, save their noses, 
kept above water for the purpose of breathing. 
For the first time I notice that singular bird 
Criark’s Crow, Picicorvus Columbianus (Bon.), 
hopping busily from branch to branch amidst the 
pine trees. 
Wilson, inhis ‘ American Ornithology,’ in giving 
a brief notice of this bird, says: ‘ It is remarkable 
for its formidable claws, which approach to those 
of the falco genus, and would seem to intimate 
that its food consists of living animals, for whose 
destruction these weapons must be necessary. It 
inhabits the shores of the Columbia, frequenting 
the rivers and sea-shore, probably feeding on 
fish.” There never could have been a greater 
mistake; the bird never frequents the river 
banks, never by any chance eats fish, and would 
no more attempt the capture of other living 
things than would a turtle-dove or a canary-bird. 
