224 CANARIES AND CAGE-BIRD*. 



she sleeps with one eye open, for he will give her a sly dig with his beak : and pussy 

 will look around in surprise ; and, never suspecting treachery on her friend's part, 

 she may try it over again, only to receive another sharp blow, and is finally obliged 

 to give up in disgust. 



The bird always has a safe-deposit vault securely hidden, where any object 

 which he chances to take in his daily wanderings may be found if one is lucky 

 enough to find out where the safe-deposit vault is. One of these nests, when turned 

 out, will be found to contain an amazing amount of bnc-ft-brac : and one need never 

 be surprised to find any missing jewellery there ; it may contain any thing, from a 

 lady's gold bracelet to a boy's marble. 



In ancient times the Raven was held in high estimation for his supposed pro- 

 phetic faculty. Then the Raven must have enjoyed life hugely ; as he was not 

 allowed to be harmed, and lived only on the best fare. He is the subject of Edgar 

 Foe's well-known poem. The Raven lives to a great age. although he does not turn 

 gray in the process of growing old. The Raven, if turned loose, will take care of 

 himself, and, unlike the majority of cage-birds, requires little or no attention : his 

 food may consist of almost any thing that is eaten at the table. He is also fond of 

 live mice and insects. When a feast is spread for him he never says " nevermore." 



The Crow is a rascally, sly fellow, insensible to the effect of perfectly manu- 

 factured men made especially to arouse his fears when in the vicinity of cornfields, 

 and seemingly innocent of the amount of harm which the numerous shot-guns, 

 always in readiness, would have on him. He is known, probably, better than any 

 other bird in our country. Owing to his sagacity in avoiding traps set for him, and 

 his well-known powers of scenting gunpowder, his numbers are ever on the increase, 

 and will probably so continue. 



He is the farmer's chief enemy ; although it has been urged in the Crow's 

 defence, that if the number of worms, caterpillars, and grubs and mice, which he 

 destroys, were put to his credit, he would not be found to be so harmful to man 

 after all. 



The Crow resembles the Raven in appearance, but is not so large : when full- 

 grown he measures about one and a half feet. The whole plumage is black, with 

 a tinge of violet on the lower part of the body. He inhabits the woods and fields, 

 and in his wild state lives on insects, worms, carrion, mice, grain, and fruit. 



Crows become very tame, and, when certain that they will not be molested, will 

 gather in large troops in the barn-yard in search of food. When kept in captivity 

 they are very funny ; and it is interesting to sit in a corner, and watch the ma- 

 noeuvres of one when he thinks you are not looking. They may be taught numerous 

 tricks, which they readily learn ; and if kept in a cage for a few days, and fed lightly, 

 and then given some special dainty, they seem only too willing to repay the kind- 

 ness by readily receiving instruction. When a knock is heard at the door, the pupil 

 may be taught to alight on the latch, and by his weight raise it, so that a visitor may 

 enter. He will then greet the caller cordially, as any well-mannered Crow should 

 do. He learns to fairly articulate words, although not so proficient as the Raven in 

 this respect. His love for thieving is on a par with that individual, however ; and 

 his look of injured innocence, if accused of such a crime, is laughable to behold. 

 Many amusing anecdotes are related of this cunning bird. The old story of the 



