A Corvine Congress. 



direction of consideration of cause and effect 

 as does the crow. 



It is useless perhaps to hope ever to be able 

 to translate the crows' language and so learn 

 what they are discussing, whether but two or 

 three are gathered together or a great flock is 

 addressed by some chosen leader, but the initial 

 step having long ago been taken, that com- 

 munication of ideas among the lower animals 

 does take place, it is no over-reaching of rea- 

 sonableness to recognize that the variations of 

 kaw and ka are full of meaning to the birds to 

 which they are addressed. 



A careful study of corvine courtship would 

 be profitable to those who care for the subject 

 of animal intelligence. Their mentality shows 

 then, I doubt not, as prominently as when the 

 nest is deserted and life is a struggle for food 

 more than aught else. The actions of wooers 

 have too frequently been commented upon as 

 simply so many silly antics and not having any 

 deeper meaning, but we are not yet sufficiently 

 versed in ornithological lore to deliver snap 

 judgments. It is a common practice, but sin 

 is not less sinful because of its prevalence. 



