THE CROW 



pick cf the fattest grubs ; he makes 

 stealthy levies on the earliest robins' 

 nests ; and from some lofty lookout or 

 aerial scout watches the farmer plant 

 the corn and awaits its sprouting into 

 the dainty tidbits, a fondness for whose 

 sweetness is his overmastering weakness. 

 For this he braves the terrible scarecrow 

 and the dread mystery of the cornfield's 

 lined boundary, for this risks life and 

 forfeits the good name that his better 

 deeds might give him. If he would not 

 be tempted from grubs and carrion, what 

 a worthy bird he might be accounted. 

 In what good if humble repute might he 

 live, how lamented, die. O Appetite ! 

 thou base belly-denned demon, for what 

 sins of birds and men art thou account- 

 able ! 



In the springtide days, the crow turns 

 aside from theft and robbery to the 

 softer game of love, whereunto you hear 

 the harsh voice attuned in cluttering 

 notes. After the wooing the pair begin 

 house building and keeping. 



It is the rudest and clumsiest of all 

 bird architecture that has become the 

 centre of their cares — such a jumble of 

 19 



