A NATUBALIST. 1 2 1 



which vast flocks move from various quarters of the 

 country to their roosting places every afternoon, and the 

 uniformity of the route they pursue. In cold weather, 

 when all the small bodies of water are frozen, and they 

 are obliged to protract their flight towards the bays or 

 sea, their return is a work of considerable labour, espe- 

 cially should a strong wind blow against them ; at this 

 season also, being rather poorly fed, they are of necessity 

 less vigorous. Should the wind be adverse, they fly as 

 near the earth as possible, and of this the shooters at the 

 time I allude to took advantage. A large number would 

 collect on such an afternoon, and station themselves close 

 along the foot-way of a high bank, over which the crows 

 were in the habit of flying ; and as they were in a great 

 degree screened from sight as the flock flew over, keep- 

 ing as low as possible because of the wind, their shots 

 were generally very effectual. The stronger was the 

 wind, the greater was their success. The crows that 

 were not injured found it very difficult to rise ; and those 

 that diverged laterally, only came nearer to gunners sta- 

 tioned in expectation of such movements. The flocks 

 were several hours in passing over, and as there was 

 generally a considerable interval between each company 

 of considerable size, the last arrived, unsuspicious of what 

 had been going on, and the shooters had time to recharge 

 their arms. But the grand harvest of crow heads was 

 derived from the invasion of their dormitories, which are 

 well worthy a particular description, and should be visited 

 11 



