truth in the development theory. But for this 

 defiance of shame one might feel disposed to make 

 allowances for the unhappy influences of its life ; for, 

 m truth, it would be strange if a crow developed an 

 amiable character. Even a consistent career of 

 crime must be less demoralizing than the aimless 

 vagabondage by which it maintains itself." 



More mature consideration does not seem to have 

 raised Eha's estimate of the corvine character, for in 

 " The Common Birds of Bouibay " that writer gives 

 the bird the following chit : " I have never felt a 

 qualm of conscience about taking a crow's life. It is 

 not their depredations, nor their impudence, nor their 

 rowdy noises. I could endure all these. What I 

 cannot forgive is the constant and ruthless massacre 

 of innocents that goes on where crows are allowed to 

 have their own way. They watch every little bird 

 to find out if it have a nest, they count the days till 

 the first young sparrow flutters out on its untried 

 wings, they pounce upon it and carry it to the nearest 

 tree and hold it under 

 one foot and pick it to 

 pieces, absolutely cal- 

 lous to the shrieks of 

 the parents as they J?^ 



