OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 9 



scene, and devastations are again begun \vith wonted vigor. 

 In connection herewith, we should not allow an interest- 

 ing fact to escape attention. If the cause of the alarm 

 should be two men, whether armed or not, the disappear- 

 ance of one man after the flock has taken Might, is at once 

 recognized by the scouts, and nothing will induce them to 

 signal the return of their comrades, however artfully con- 

 cealed the remaining man may be. But let the latter depart, 

 the intelligence is immediately communicated, and the flock 

 silently appears and renews operations. It is evident from 

 the foregoing facts that the crow possesses some knowledge 

 of numbers. We have it from a reliable source, that its knowl- 

 edge of counting is very limited, and does not extend beyond 

 the number five. This information was determined in this 

 wise. A tent was erected in the middle of a cornfield which 

 was daily visited by these birds. At first, a couple of men 

 entered it, thus frightening the crows away. After the lapse 

 of a half-hour, one of the men retired, thinking thereby to 

 deceive the crows. An hour passed and none made 

 their appearance. The second man then left, and after hav- 

 ing vanished from view, the birds settled down in immense 



O 



numbers. At this moment, a trio of men appeared and 

 entered the tent. Shortly afterwards, one left ; then, another ; 

 the third remaining closely hid from view. But it was not 

 until after the third man had departed, that the crows re- 

 turned. Four men next entered, and, subsequently, five, 

 with like results. Finally, a party of six men went into the 

 enclosure, and all left excepting one. After the fifth man 

 had disappeared, the crows began to settle down upon the 

 field in great numbers, evidently unconcious of any hidden 

 danger, when to their utter dismay and confusion, Hie sixth 

 man appeared. From the foregoing facts, there seems to be 

 but one conclusion that can be rationally drawn : vix., that 

 five expresses theextremelimit of the crow's ideas of numbers. 

 Somewhat akin to these facts, is the fact that CTOWfi come to 

 reard unarmed men in a different light from those who arc 



