Anecdotes of an American Crow. 93 



great lengths in mischief, I was under the necessity 

 of whipping him ; which I did with a little switch. 

 He would, in general, bear correction with wonder- 

 ful patience and humility, supplicating with piteous 

 and penitent cries and actions. But sometimes, when 

 chastisement became intolerable, he would suddenly 

 start off, and take refuere in the next tree. Here he 

 would console himself with chattering, and adjusting 

 his feathers, if he was not lucky enough to carry off 

 with him some of my property, such as a pen-knife, 

 or a piece of paper ; in this case, he would boast and 

 brag very loudly. At other times, he would soon 

 return, and with every token of penitence and sub- 

 mission, approach me for forgiveness and reconcilia- 

 tion. On these occasions, he would sometimes re- 

 turn, and settle on the ground, near my feet, and 

 diffidently advance, with soft-soothing expressions, 

 and a sort of circumlocution ; and sit silently by me, 

 for a considerable time. At other times, he would 

 confidently come and settle upon my shoulder, and 

 there solicit my favour and pardon, with soothing ex- 

 pressions, and caressing gesticulations ; not omitting 

 to tickle me about the neck, ears, Ike. 



Tom appeared to be influenced by a lively sense of 

 domination (an attribute prevalent in the animal cre- 

 ation) : but, nevertheless, his ambition, in this res- 

 pect, seemed to be moderated by a degree of reason, 

 or reflection. He was, certainly, by no means tyran- 

 nical, or cruel. It must be confessed, however, that 

 he aimed to be master of every animal around him, 

 in order to secure his independence and his odf-pre- 



