Old White Wing 271 
another, and still another, until a dozen or fifteen 
appeared, gradually taking the form of crows. 
Some alighted on fence stakes, others on the lower 
limbs of trees, but apart from these, one perched 
alone on the top of a tall tree. There being no 
stir about the barns, the crow on the tree top flew 
in a half circle a little nearer, making a close in- 
spection, and seeing no apparent danger, returned 
to his former perch. This crow seemed to be the 
leader of the flock; he was larger than any of the 
others, and in each wing there were several white 
feathers. This was the first time I had ever seen 
this crow, but I learned later that he was not a stranger 
to the farmer folk, for he was known throughout the 
Hollow as “Old White Wing.” He had led many 
a cornfield raid, had carried off not a few chick- 
ens, and was a notorious destroyer of birds’ nests. 
Short sighted man had counted only his crimes 
and had not measured the good he had done in 
disposing of mice, moles, grasshoppers, and May- 
beetles. 
Out from the flock of crows flew one, straight for 
the monarch on the tree top, and alighted near him. 
Evidently this was his mate, and she seemed his equal 
in every way except in size. A quiet little dialogue 
in the crow language was indulged in, and after a 
