A PLEA FOK ^ROTECTl^'G OUK NATIVE BIRDS. 187 



of our country, the question how to exterminate it might possibly 

 be referred to this eomniissiou if, as is now hoped, it is established 

 in the near future. 



Edmund Ilersey's experience had in the main been different from 

 that related by Mr. Terry. He never has au}^ trouble from the 

 ■crows. As long as he treats them well thej' treat him well. lie 

 generalljT " lines " his field, and they build their nests within ten 

 rods of the cornfield. One year his corn was quite near the house, 

 and one morning he felt sure the crows were there pulling up his 

 corn. He therefore killed one, but upon examination was con- 

 vinced that he was mistaken. However, the dead crow was hung 

 up in the field, and lines strung around the whole area. Notwith- 

 standing these supposed preventive arrangements the crows came 

 and pulled up corn, even within a few feet of the dead crow. Mr. 

 Hersey could not understand why they did so, unless they believed 

 that having the name of doing it they might as well have the game ; 

 or that they reasoned as some human beings do and pulled the 

 corn to avenge the death of their comrade. 



J. W. Manning believed that crows possess the gift of commuui- 

 ■cating ideas to each other. He knew of a case where crows were 

 poisoned with arsenic because they had pulled up corn, and dozens 

 of them died. No crows pulled up corn on that farm again for five 

 years. When crows came there later it was believed they were 

 either of a strange race, or of a generation so many removes from 

 the original mourners as to have lost respect for the tales or tradi- 

 tions of their ancestors. 



Leverett M. Chase regarded the crow much as the old deacon 

 did his young wife — ' ' Not a very great saint but a mighty fine 

 little sinner." He had tamed two of them and found them most 

 delightful and interesting pets — bright, intelligent, and teachable, 

 but busy thieves. The crow seems more human than any other 

 bird, especially in his vices — avariciousness, suspicion, greediness, 

 cruelty — and in one case he had observed a sad inebriate. He 

 had long made our native birds a study and believed that with one 

 exception they do far more good than harm. Their preservation 

 is well included among the interests our Society was founded to 

 foster and advance ; for their destruction means the destruction of 

 our fields, forests, and gardens. As birds grow fewer, the labors 

 of the husbandman increase, and the rewards diminish. 



