A NATUBALIST. 105 



would become very angry, and would chase the crow to 

 a greater distance from the brood. This is the very ob- 

 ject the robber has in view, for as long as the parent 

 keeps near her young, the crow has very slight chance 

 of success ; but as soon as he can induce her to follow him 

 to a little distance from the brood, he takes advantage of 

 his wings, and before she can regain her place, has flown 

 over her, and seized one of her chickens. When the cock 

 is present, there is still less danger from such an attack, 

 for chanticleer shows all his vigilance and gallantry in 

 protecting his tender offspring, though it frequently hap- 

 pens that the number of hens with broods renders it im- 

 possible for him to extend his care to all. When the 

 crow tries to carry off a gosling from the mother, it re- 

 quires more daring and skill, and is far less frequently 

 successful than in the former instance. If the gander be 

 in company, which he almost uniformly is, the crow has 

 his labour in vain. Notwithstanding the advantages of 

 flight and superior cunning, the honest vigilance and de- 

 termined bravery of the former are too much for him. 

 His attempts to approach, however cautiously conducted, 

 are promptly met, and all his tricks rendered unavailing, 

 'by the fierce movements of the gander, whose powerful 

 blows the crow seems to be well aware might effectually 

 disable him. The first time I witnessed such a scene, I 

 was at the side of the creek, and saw on the opposite 

 shore a goose with her goslings beset by a crow ; from 

 the apparent alarm of the mother and brood, it seemed to 



