48 A NATURALIST IN THE MAGDALEN /SLANDS. 
40. CORVUS AMERICANUS, Aud. 
(COMMON CROW.) 
Very abundant, and quite tame in comparison with their 
usual shyness. One afternoon, while making my way through 
some thick brush, I heard a number of them within a short 
distance. Concealing myself under a tree. I commenced to- 
call, and in a few minutes several came within shot, and 
circled above me until I had killed four. 
The hatred of a Crow for all species of Owls is a well- 
known fact, and is sometimes taken advantage of to entrap 
them. Mr. Perham related to me acurious manner of wa- 
) 
ging war on the “black robbers” which I have never seen 
attempted anywhere else. He places a live Owl in some 
isolated tree near where the Crows feed, and concealing him- 
self within easy shot, imitates the hoarse cry of a Crow, 
upon the discovery of his enemy, to perfection. Generally, 
the cry is taken up and the Crows come from all directions. 
“The more you kill the madder they get,” said he, “ but it is 
necessary to keep concealed.” From forty to fifty Crows 
have been taken in this manner in one afternoon. 
Breeds commonly. 
