A NATURALIST. 123 



day-time, so as to surround the roost as nearly as 

 possible. A dark night was always preferred, as 

 the crows could not, when alarmed, fly far, and the 

 attack was delayed until full midnight. All being 

 at their posts, the firing was commenced by those 

 who were most advantageously posted, and followed 

 up successively by the others, as the affrighted crows 

 sought refuge in their vicinity. On every side the 

 carnage then raged fiercely, and there can scarcely 

 be conceived a more forcible idea of the horrors of a 

 battle, than such a scene afforded. The crows 

 screaming with fright and the pain of wounds; the 

 loud deep roar produced by the raising of their whole 

 number in the air; the incessant flashing and thun- 

 dering of the guns; and the shouts of their eager 

 destroyers, all produced an effect which can never 

 be forgotten by any one who has witnessed it, nor 

 can it well be adequately comprehended by those 

 who have not. Blinded by the blaze of the powder, 

 and bewildered by the thicker darkness that ensues, 

 the crows rise and settle again at a short distance, 

 without being able to withdraw from the field of 

 danger, and the sanguinary work is continued until 

 the shooters are fatigued, or the approach of day- 

 light gives the survivors a chance of escape. Then 

 the work of collecting the heads from the dead and 

 wounded began, and this was a task of considerable 

 difficulty, as the wounded used their utmost efforts 

 to conceal and defend themselves. The bill and 

 half the front of the skull were cut off together, 

 and strung in sums for the tax-gatherer, and the 

 product of the night divided according to the nature 



