Old White Wing 271 



another, and still another, until a dozen or fifteen 

 appeared, gradually taking the form of crows. 

 Some alighted on fence stakes, others on the lower 

 limbs of trees, but apart from these, one perched 

 alone on the top of a tall tree. There being no 

 stir about the barns, the crow on the tree top flew 

 in a half circle a little nearer, making a close in- 

 spection, and seeing no apparent danger, returned 

 to his former perch. This crow seemed to be the 

 leader of the flock; he was larger than any of the 

 others, and in each wing there were several white 

 feathers. This was the first time I had ever seen 

 this crow, but I learned later that he was not a stranger 

 to the farmer folk, for he was known throughout the 

 HoUow as "Old White Wing." He had led many 

 a cornfield raid, had carried off not a few chick- 

 ens, and was a notorious destroyer of birds' nests. 

 Short sighted man had counted only his crimes 

 and had not measured the good he had done in 

 disposing of mice, moles, grasshoppers, and May- 

 beetles. 



Out from the flock of crows flew one, straight for 

 the monarch on the tree top, and alighted near him. 

 Evidently this was his mate, and she seemed his equal 

 in every way except in size. A quiet little dialogue 

 in the crow language was indulged in, and after a 



