90 Ajiecdotes of cm American Crow. 



Before I enter on this subject minutely, it may be 

 necessary to remark, that we do not here speak of the 

 crow, collectively, as giving an account of the whole 

 race (since I am convinced, that these birds differ as 

 widely as men do from each other, in point of talents 

 and acquirements), but of a particular bird of that 

 species, which I reared from the nest. ' 



He was, for a long time, comparatively a helpless, 

 dependent creature, having a very small degree of 

 activity or vivacity, every sense seeming to be asleep, 

 or in embryo, until he had nearly attained his finished 

 dimensions, and figure, and the use of all his mem- 

 bers. Then, we were surprised, and daily amused 

 with the progressive developement of his senses, ex- 

 panding and maturating as the wings of the youthful 

 phalaena, when disengaged from its nympha-shell. 



These senses, however, seemed, as in man, to be 

 only the organs or instruments of his intellectual 

 powers, and of their effects, as directed towards the 

 accomplishment of various designs, and the gratifica- 

 tion of the passions. 



This was a bird of a happy temper, and good dis- 

 position. He was tractable and benevolent, docile 

 and humble, whilst his genius demonstrated extraor- 

 dinary acuteness, and lively sensations. All these 

 good qualities were greatly in his favour, for they 

 procured him friends and patrons, even among men, 

 whose society and regard contributed to illustrate the 

 powers of his understanding. But what appeared 



