A NATURALIST. 119 



persons might move securely without being observed. 

 Proper openings through which to level the guns 

 were also made, as the slightest stir or noise could 

 not be made, at the time of action, without a risk of 

 rendering all the preparations fruitless. The guns 

 were all in order and loaded before going to bed, and 

 at an hour or two before day-light we repaired quietly 

 to the field, and stationed ourselves behind the screen, 

 where, having mounted our guns at the loop-holes, to 

 be in perfect readiness, we waited patiently for the 

 day-break. Soon after the gray twilight of the dawn 

 began to displace the darkness, the voice of one of 

 our expected visitants would be heard from the dis- 

 tant forest, and shortly after a single crow would 

 slowly sail towards the solitary tree, and settle on its 

 very summit. Presently a few more would arrive 

 singly, and in a little while small flocks followed. 

 Conversation among them is at first rather limited to 

 occasional salutations, but as the flock begins to grow 

 numerous, it becomes general and very animated, and 

 by this time all that may be expected on this occasion 

 have arrived. This may be known, also, by observing 

 one or more of them descend to the ground, and if 

 the gunners do not now make the best of the occa- 

 sion, it will soon be lost, as the whole gang will pre- 

 sently sail off, scattering as they go. However, we 

 rarely waited till there was a danger of their depart- 

 ure, but as soon as the flock had fairly arrived, and 

 were still crowded upon the upper parts of the tree, 

 we pulled triggers together, aiming at the thickest 

 of the throng. In this way, by killing and wound- 



