THE CROWS AND PING-PONG. 15 



they the sense to distinguish the interloper, when it is 

 hatched, from one of their own kind. 



Having secured its prize, the worthy crow took up a 

 commanding position on the branch of a bamboo tree. 

 After a little "prospecting" he caught sight of a small 

 stone post, which appeared to be admirably adapted to his 

 purpose. To this he flew, and dropping the ball, pecked 

 at it to break it. Instead of breaking, the ball hopped on 

 to the ground ; the crow retrieved it and again had a peck 

 at it, with the same result. Having repeated the process 

 half a dozen times the crow grew thoughtful. Never before 

 had he come across such an obstinate egg. He then 

 decided to tackle it upon thej ground ; here he met with no 

 better success. He next flew to a neighbouring tree, and 

 from that altitude contemplated the ball, which he had left 

 lying on the ground. A happy thought suddenly seized 

 him. He took up the egg in his beak, and flew with it to 

 a branch some six feet above the ground, and let it fall. 

 It survived the shock intact. 



This was too much for another crow that had been 

 attentively watching the first bird. Said he to himself: 

 "If that juggins can't break the egg, there is nothing left 

 but for me to show him how to do it." Having delivered 

 himself of these sentiments he made a swoop at the ball, 

 snapped at it as he flew over, but since the first crow was 

 in hot pursuit he missed it. Then followed a long contest 

 between the second bird and the rightful owner. Every 

 time the former attempted to capture the egg, the latter flew 

 after him and tried to peck him. After a little both birds 

 came to rest on different trees within full view of the ball, 

 each with his back towards the other. Crows are not straight- 

 forward birds. They live chiefly by deceit. Each wanted 

 the other to think that he had forgotten all about the bone 

 of contention. After the struggle had continued some 

 twenty minutes, the first bird was seized with a sudden fit 

 of generosity, and decided to let his rival have an innings. 

 The latter's score was no larger than that of the first crow. 



