64 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



All bird students will recall the pretty way in which most of the 

 Plovers let the world know who they are. As soon as they alight they 

 stand for a moment with both wings raised up to display the beautiful 

 pattern on the wing linings. A pattern that is quite different in each 

 kind, and that is like the national flag of the species, for it lets friend 

 and foe alike know what species is displaying it. 



Ernkst Thomson Skton. 



A BRAVE PAIR OF CROWS. 



Crows in many cases show themselves to be great cowards as well as 

 thieves, but in the following instance a pair proved what they could do 

 in defense of their nest. 



It was a warm clear day, but there was a very strong and disagree- 

 able wind blowing. I was walking along slowly with ears and eyes 

 wide open for any signs of bird life, when suddenly a series of coarse, 

 rattling "caws" drew my attention to a huge pine tree not far away. 

 The next instant a large hawk appeared soaring away on motionless 

 wings, with two angry crows in hot pursuit. At first they came my 

 way, until almost directly over my head, giving a good chance for ob- 

 servation. The crows made repeated sallies from above, but scarcely 

 ever struck their marks, for the hawk although apparently indifferent, 

 always tipped his body to one side or turned at just the right moment, 

 and the blow was evaded by a hair's breadth. 



But the hawk knew what he was about. Soaring round and round in 

 a large circle he slowly went higher and higher; but the crows persist- 

 ently followed until the whole three were mere dots against the blue 

 sky. The wind must have been terrible at that height, and the crows 

 found that they had all they could do to take care of themselves and 

 keep right side up. The hawk finding himself free seemed to go far- 

 ther yet into the sky, until he melted away into nothing. The pair of 

 crows finally gathering courage shot down toward their nest much the 

 same way as a hawk would have done. 



Arthur C. Ogden, Mass. 



