A NATURALIST. 105 



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 off- 

 spring, though it frequently happens that the number 

 of hens with broods renders it impossible for him to 

 extend his care to all. When the crow tries to carry 

 off a gosling from the mother, it requires more daring 

 and skill, and is far less frequently successful than 

 in the former instance. If the gander be in com- 

 pany, which he almost uniformly is, the crow has his 

 labour in vain. Notwithstanding the advantages of 

 flight and superior cunning, the honest vigilance and 

 determined bravery of the former are too much for 

 him. His attempts to approach, however cautiously 

 conducted, are promptly met, and all his tricks ren- 

 dered 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 appa- 

 rent alarm of the mother and brood, it seemed to me 

 they must be in great danger, and I called to the 

 owner of the place, who happened to be in sight, to 

 inform him of their situation. Instead of going to 

 their relief, he shouted back to me, to ask if the 



