A WINTER CROW ROOST 14^- 



straight for the roost, but, on its arrival, at once 

 began a series of aerial evolutions which lasted for 

 half an hour by the watch, before the flock finally 

 entered the roost for the night. At times the 

 birds would spread out like a mist on the hill- 

 sides, at times they would combine to form a 

 compact dark ball; again they would stream off 

 like a whisp of smoke, and turn and twist and 

 snap the whip in a most amazing manner. The 

 ex'hibition of this troop of starlings was that of 

 well trained performers executing difficult and 

 intricate evolutions without hesitation and with- 

 out fault. The rhythm and harmony of all 

 their movements was perfect; the speed of action 

 was so great that it was at times difficult to fol- 

 low them with the eye. They opened or closed 

 ranks, they deployed to the right or to the left, 

 they descended or ascended as if impelled by a 

 common mind or as if possessed of perfect tele- 

 pathic intercommunication. One could hear no 

 word of command and there appeared to be 

 no leader. The spirit of play was in it all 

 and the joy of untiring energy, of perfect mas- 

 tery of the air and of consummate grace and skill. 



