THE CROW 



nearly surrounded the other half of the field 

 with white cotton string, and retired to the 

 swamp to await the crows. Twenty minutes 

 later a sentinel crow winged his way to a dead 

 tree on the hill, and, after looking for enemies, 

 called out, " Caw, caw, caw." Immediately 

 eight crows appeared. They held a consulta- 

 tion, and it seems they decided that it was a 

 good time to dig up the rest of my potatoes, 

 for they started for the spot where they had 

 left off. As this part of the field was under 

 a high ledge, the crows could not see the 

 string until they had passed the brow of the 

 hill. The first crow over saw the string, and 

 nearly turned a somersault in trying to stop 

 his speed. He called out, " Cur-cur-cur. Cur- 

 cur-cur," and instantly every crow returned 

 to the tree. For ten minutes a great confab 

 took place. The crow that had discovered 

 the string was eagerly questioned by the 

 others, and replied in a hasty and excited 

 manner. After talking it over, a crow flew 

 to the south end of the field, where he could 

 look to the north and see the string. He 

 143 



Crow 



