118 RAMBLES OF 



by catching a large owl, and tying it with a cord of 

 moderate length to the limb of a naked tree in a 

 neighbourhood frequented by the crows. The owl 

 is one of the few enemies which the crow has much 

 reason to dread, as it robs the nests of their young, 

 whenever they are left for the shortest time. Hence, 

 whenever crows discover an owl in the day-time, like 

 many other birds, they commence an attack upon it, 

 screaming most vociferously, and bringing together 

 all of their species within hearing. Once this cla- 

 mour has fairly begun, and their passions are fully 

 aroused, there is little danger of their being scared 

 away, and the chance of destroying them by shoot- 

 ing is continued as long as the owl remains unin- 

 jured. But one such opportunity presented during 

 my residence where crows were abundant, and this 

 was unfortunately spoiled by the eagerness of one of 

 the gunners, who, in his eagerness to demolish one 

 of the crows, fixed upon some that were most busy 

 with the owl, and killed it instead of its disturbers, 

 which at once ended the sport. When the crows 

 leave the roost, at early dawn, they generally fly to 

 a naked or leafless tree in the nearest field, and there 

 plume themselves and chatter until the day-light is 

 sufficiently clear to show all objects with distinct- 

 ness. Of this circumstance I have taken advantage 

 several times, to get good shots at them in this way. 

 During the day-time, having selected a spot within 

 proper distance of the tree frequented by them in 

 the morning, I have built with brushwood and pine- 

 bushes a thick, close screen, behind which one or two 



