12 Travels in a Tree-top 



haps to this day the circumstance is discussed 

 in corvine circles. 



It is difficult to realize the freedom of flight. 

 Twisting and turning with perfect ease, adapt- 

 ing their bodies to every change of the fitful 

 wind, these crows did not use their wings 

 with that incessant motion that we need in 

 using our limbs to walk, but floated, rose and 

 fell, as if shadows rather than ponderable 

 bodies. Until we can fly, or, rather, ride 

 in flying-machines, we cannot hope to know 

 much of this flight-life of birds, and it is the 

 better part of their lives. But it was some- 

 thing to-day to be with even these crows in 

 the air. Following their erratic flight from 

 such a point of view, I seemed to be flying. 

 We are given at times to wonder a great deal 

 about birds, and they have equal reason to 

 constantly consider us. Who can say what 

 these crows thought of me ? All I can offer 

 to him who would solve the problem is that 

 their curiosity was unbounded, and this is 

 much if their curiosity and ours are akin. Of 

 course they talked. Garner need not have 

 gone to Africa to prove that monkeys talk, 

 and no one can question that crows utter more 

 than mere alarm-cries. 



